L1 - Lamb

The bread/wheat, in the form of the loaf and wafer (the Eucharist), is Christ’s body.  “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If a man eats of this bread, he will live forever.”  (John 6:51)  At the Last Supper, Christ held the bread and said “…This is my body which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”  (Luke 22:19).  Jesus takes the simple bread and wine and makes it divine.  (John 6, 1 Corinthians 11:26-27)

The cup, or chalice, contains the wine/grapes, the precious blood of Christ that was shed on the cross.  Christ said “This is my blood of the covenant which will be shed for many.”  (Mark 14:24)

The rock symbolizes God the Father, as our rock and solid fortress that sustains us.  (Psalm 18:2, Exodus 17:6)Jesus is our rock as the foundation/cornerstone of a sturdy house.  (Matthew 7:24)   Saint Peter is also referred to as a rock. (See “S”)

The lamb is most frequently used to represent Christ.  Jesus is the “Lamb of God/Agnus Dei”- who was sacrificed for us.  “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”  (John 1:29) The Paschal Lamb is the lamb sacrificed during the Jewish Passover.  Because of this tradition, it stands for forgiveness from sins.