Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Exodus 11:1-10

Roman Catholic Lens Reading of Exodus 11:1-10

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read Exodus 11:1-10 as a profound prefiguration of the Paschal Mystery, central to our faith. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, signifies the ultimate deliverance of God's people, which finds its fulfillment in Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice on the Cross redeems us from sin and death. This passage also invites us to reflect on the sovereignty of God and His divine plan for salvation, which unfolds through history and is fully realized through the Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Key Language Decisions

In the original Hebrew, the term 'plague' (מַכָּה, makah) indicates a divine strike or blow, emphasizing God's active role in the liberation of His people. The repeated phrase 'hardened heart' (כָּבֵד לֵב, kaved lev) highlights Pharaoh's obstinacy and contrasts with the receptive heart we are called to have in response to God's grace. The tradition emphasizes the received text’s focus on divine action and human response, underscoring the necessity of openness to God's will.

Where Traditions Diverge

Our tradition diverges significantly from some Protestant readings that may view this passage primarily as historical narrative rather than typology. We emphasize its sacramental and eschatological dimensions, understanding it as a foreshadowing of the Eucharist and the ultimate deliverance in Christ. This differs from traditions that might not see the connection between Old Testament events and the sacramental life of the Church, missing the continuity in God’s salvific plan.

Pastoral Application

When preaching this passage, we should emphasize the continuity of salvation history and its culmination in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Encourage the faithful to recognize the call to conversion and openness to God’s grace, contrasting Pharaoh’s hardened heart. Highlight the Eucharist as the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice we enter into every time we approach the altar. This passage should deepen our appreciation for God’s providence and inspire us to live lives of holiness and service, in response to the transformative grace we receive in the sacraments.

Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 5:7, where Christ is identified as our Passover Lamb; John 1:29, which proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God; Revelation 5:6-10, depicting the Lamb who was slain and redeemed us; Romans 6:3-4, which connects baptism to dying and rising with Christ; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 571-573, explaining the Paschal Mystery

Doctrinal Connections: The Paschal Mystery, encompassing Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection; The Incarnation, as the realization of God's salvific plan; The Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life; Divine Providence, guiding the course of history towards salvation; The necessity of sanctifying grace for salvation