On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed
the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and
said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of
water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ´The Teacher
says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?"´ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered
the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the
Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it and
gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a
cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I
say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I
drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went
out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26)
Introductory Prayer: I love you, Lord, for your Eucharist — this great
gift of yourself — for, when you had nothing else to give, you left us your own
body, to love us to the end in an overwhelming show of love that makes our
hearts tremble with love, gratitude and respect.
Petition: My dear Jesus, how many times have I received you coldly or
lightly, perhaps even unworthily! Help soften my heart in this meditation that
I might find in it motivation for a similar self-giving for the salvation of
souls.
1. “Where is My Guest Room?” The celebration of the Passover was a key
feast for the Jews. It marked the central event of their salvation history and
therefore a feast that should not be skipped nor improvised rather prepared for
with care. For us Christians, the Passover is only but a “type” for Christ’s
sacrifice, the central event of our salvation foretold and remembered in the
Eucharist and consummated in his passion. With what care we should prepare our
souls for this feast and for every Eucharistic celebration! Christ calls out to
each of us to prepare our soul, his guest room, so that we can receive his
grace.
2. “Take This, All of You” Jewish sacrifice would permit families to
sacrifice various animals, i.e. bulls, goats, sheep, doves, according to each
family’s material wealth. Christ, the unblemished lamb, makes himself victim
and sacrifice for all of us, regardless of our material wealth or moral worth.We all have access to him. If his blood were shed for many, it is only
because some do not accept his terms or his generous gift of self. “Lord, I am
not worthy to receive you.”
3. “Until the Day I Drink It New” Christ concludes the institution of
the Eucharist with a farewell to his disciples and an invitation to the future
banquet in the Kingdom of God. The Eucharist is truly our viaticum, our source
of strength and nourishment that enables us to reach our final destination.
Lord, instill in me a desire to receive you and visit you frequently.
Dialogue with Christ: Stay with us, Lord, for night is about to fall.
Explain to us the mysteries of your life. Help me to always recognize your
presence in the Eucharist.
Resolution: Make a visit to Christ in the Eucharist before or after
Mass out of thanksgiving.
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