INTRODUCTION
Two of our seven sacraments, Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, were instituted on Holy Thursday. Jesus at the Passover meal took bread and wine and told his disciples to eat and drink, for this was his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins, “Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19
These words, “Do this in remembrance of me” are the foundation for our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist today and established the ministerial priesthood (Holy Orders) whereby this command will be carried out through the successors of the apostles until the end of time.
TAKE AND EAT; THIS IS MY BODY
MATTHEW 26:26-30
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer… Then he took a cup,* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ….Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. LUKE 22:14-20
In St. John’s Gospel we don’t find the institution of the Eucharist but we find Jesus, Servant of servants, washing the feet of His disciples and telling them to do likewise.
Jesus washing the feet of his disciples represents the service and charity of Christ, who came ‘not to be served, but to serve.’ Matthew 20:28
And at supper, Jesus…Rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist. He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel which was tied round him…..
When he had washed their feet… he spoke to them again. “Do you understand what I have been doing to you?” he asked. “You yourselves call me ‘the Teacher’ and ‘the Master’, and you are right, for I am both. If I, then—’the Master’ and ‘the Teacher’—have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet…In truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than the man who sends him. JOHN 13:1-1
A SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER
REFLECTION
Jesus Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental means to abide in Jesus. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:54
When I receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, what are my thoughts, prayers….
Do I believe I am truly receiving Jesus or some symbol?
In the Mass, divinity and humanity are reconciled. We, along with the priest offer Jesus’ body and blood to the Father in atonement for our sins and the sins of the world. What a Loving Compassionate God and Father that allows us, invites us, to participate in our own redemption.
Will this make a difference in the next Cross I bear, the next Garden of Gethsemane I experience?
Communion with Christ is a wedding banquet. Jesus is the bridegroom; the Church is the Bride.
Jesus said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:12-14
What about our wedding garment? Are we prepared to meet Jesus sacramentally? Are we prepared to meet Jesus in person when we transition from earth to eternity?
The Church includes A vast cloud of witnesses, the Church triumphant, those already in heaven, the Church suffering, those in purgatory being perfected, and Church militant, those on earth on the way. Hebrews 12:1
No one gets to heaven by their self. What am I doing to help others?
God loves us with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
How do I love others? Do I have stipulations or conditions? Why?
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; Bread of Life Discourse JOHN 6:51
How do I react to these words of Jesus in Bread of Life discourse?