The Last Supper

“Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out
of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” – Jn 13

I. Introduction

a. We beginning to contemplate the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and, in doing
so, always keep in mind three points:
b.
i. Our Lord wills to suffer. He could have saved me without suffering, but wanted to show
His love for me.
ii. Jesus hides His Divinity. He could smash His enemies but holds back.
iii. All of this is for me, to redeem me, to incite me to love. How can I not respond?

c. Preparatory prayer always, always remains the same.

Second Prelude – Composition of Place: the Cenacle, the room of the Supper, big,
small, etc. Read the Scriptural account!

This was his hour. His night-

“Why is this night different from every all other nights” – was the question
that began the sayida - (For 3 thousand years, since the first Passover
ceremony, these words had been said:

“We were slaves to pharaoh in Egypt and the lord redeemed us with a might
hand, if the holy and blessed one had not taken our fathers out of Egypt, then
we our children and our grandchildren would be slaves in Egypt, this is why
even though we might be wise, and learned and experienced, though we might
know the Torah well, it is our duty to tell the story from the out going from
Egypt, and the more one tells from the out going from Egypt, the more praise
worthy he is” -

Explain –

(The Jewish Passover ceremony) – Recount how they were delivered from Slavery, -
The youngest male in the house would begin the question:

d. Third Prelude – Grace: grief, feeling, and confusion for my sins because Our
Lord is going to His Passion for me
e.
II. Point 1 – Eating the Paschal Lamb:

After the mentioned words had been recited, they then said these words: “If God had rescued
us from Egypt but not punished Egyptians, it would have been enough! If he merely
punished the Egyptians, but not destroyed their gods, it would have been enough! If He had
destroyed their gods, but not slain their first born, it would have been enough!
If He had slain their first born, but not given us their property it would have been enough! If
he had given us their property and not split the sea for us, it would have been enough!
If he had merely had split the sea for us, and not brought us through on dry ground, it would
have been enough for us! If he had brought us through on dry ground, and not drowned our
oppressors it would have been enough! If he merely drowned our oppressors but had not
supplied us in the desert for 40 years, and not continue to feed us with manner it would have
been enough! Etc.

The meal continued with various blessing, the drinking of the cups of wine,
But this Passover was not to be like every other Passover, it was to be the last
true Passover- Christ was not to perfect it, it showing the extent to which he
loves us.

Loot at the Apostles as they recline at table around Our Lord. Look at the setting.
This image alone has inspired the art work of countless artists.
It is Our Lord’s Last Supper. Look at his meek but solemn expression. He who is the Lamb
of God, about to be sacrificed for all of mankind. The entire purpose of this feast that was
practiced by the Jews for thousands of years was for Him. Now, His hour has come; He is
about to fulfill all. “How I have desired to eat this pasch with you.” – Yes, Christ was born
for this final moment which was to beginning here. He was born to die. Die, for the love of
us,

What ought to be our gratitude for the Eucharist!

The benefits of love can never be the motives of Love. (i.e. I love you because you make me
feel Good). Otherwise still seeking yourself.

St. John Chrystotom, “Because he loved us so ardently, he chose to make himself one w/ us
by becoming our food.” – In this live most intimate union is that between a man and his wife
– Two become one flesh, but even more intimate union does God desire with us, as we are
united to him by partaking of his flesh.

Earthly food is transformed in us/flesh – Christ transforms us to Him = Grace.

Transubstantiation takes place 1st time. – Xt Holds himself in His own hands.
 He will do it by showing an incredible excess of love. “He loved them unto the end,” that is,
completely without limit. The Apostles do not understand, and as yet are not clear about His
Passion, His teaching or anything. Yet He loves them and proves it. The lamb is slaughtered,
crucified, and completely consumed.

Institution of the Priesthood – Give the command, you give the power to do it. Do this in
memory of me” –

Passover of O.T you couldn’t have said I want a cookie, that symbolizes Christ, you had to
have the real thing.

It was Christ spoke of the Eucharist (Jn 6) Judas had gone to betray Him. “

III. Point 3 – Institution of the Eucharist: - When the typical Passover was concluded, and He
had partaken of the Lamb with His Apostles, He comes to the true paschal sacrament –

Knowing that He is about to suffer for us all, that the Apostles will abandon Him, and Judas
betray Him, what does He do? He speaks affectionately, and gives a gift greater than
anything conceivable. In order to sanctify men, He becomes not a man, or a worm, but, of all
things, bread! What greater proof of love is possible? Yet Satan enters Judas and his
Communion is sacrilegious. The Apostles flee. Are we not just as cold after we receive Our
Lord? The Apostles are dull of understanding.
Jn 6 – Discourse on the Eucharist. – “Jesus answered them: Have not I chosen you twelve?
And one of you is a devil. Now he meant Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon: for this same was about to betray
him, whereas he was one of the twelve.”

I am the living Bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this
bread, he shall live forever.”

St. Thomas Aquinas says – Eucharist is a foretaste of heaven.

Communion is the Physical participation in the body, blood, sole and

divinity of Xt.
Manna in O.T – A type, symobol of Eucharist. – Eucharist which is a
reality. Not a Symbol pointing to a Symbol – But a symbol = Manna, that
points to a reality (Xt, true body and blood).

Mysterium Fidei. – “The mystery of faith” – It requires faith.

Friendship is the indwelling of one soul in two bodies – St. T. Aquinas on

Aristotles notion of friendship. – Love Transforms us.

Why do you love me so much O’ Christ? What about my sins? -

St. Gertrude once asked our Lord what preparation he required of her for Holy Communion and Jesus
said “I require none other than from you than you come to receive me void of yourself.”

All Christ ask in return is “Love for Love” –

Thanks giving prayers – “Christ remains in the soul as a throne of Grace, and says to it: What do you
want me to do for you.”

St. Alphonsus “I can assure you that Christ gives to a soul who lovingly spends time before the Blessed
Sacrament more consolation than the world with all its joys and pleasures can bestow.”

IV. Point 2 – Washing of the Feet: Apostles perhaps chatting. Our Lord gets up and
does the unthinkable; He girds Himself and washes their feet. Apostles are struck
silent. What is He doing? Gasp, He is washing our feet! He who is Master. God
Himself, Creator of the universe. What a lesson for fathers! How often do they wash
the feet of their wife and children? Leaders have a great responsibility to give
themselves for those under them. How often does Our Lord stoop down and wash our
feet with His grace, calling us back to Him? And we cannot bear the slightest reproach
or humiliation.

We know how to love to the extent that we know how to receive it.

“For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done,
be told for a memorial of her."

Why did Jesus wash His disciples' feet? - To show His humility and love, and to teach them how pure
they should be in approaching the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
“All of you are clean, but one” – Dispositions – ingratitude .

V. Colloquy – Speak to Our Lord, or to the Trinity, Our Lord, and Our Lady. Ask for
the graces you need. Ask for a great love of Our Lord and the grace to follow His new
commandment. Have confidence in His goodness and mercy. He has done so much for
us; He wants us to save our souls.