Treasure the Eucharist and live each day in remembrance of Christ
Reflections on the readings for Holy Thursday / Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (March 29, 2018): EX 12:1-8,11-14, PS 116:12-13,15-16,17-18, 1 COR 11:23-26, JN 13:1-15
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this first day of the Triduum, the Church acknowledges the three days that are the culmination of the liturgical year.
The hours that Jesus spent with His Apostles at the Passover supper were rich with events vital to our whole Christian faith. Because our focus during Lent tends to be on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Savior, we must make a special effort to contemplate the wonderful things that Jesus said and did on the night before He died. The most fundamental to the life of the Church were the institution of both the priesthood and the Eucharist. “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread, and … said, ‘This is My body that is for you.’ … ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
The very idea of Christ in the Holy Eucharist – not just at the Last Supper with His closest followers, but also for all generations on earth for all who believe in Him – is a profound gift. The Son of God wants us to invite Him within our being, body and soul. He wants us to enjoy His company now and forever. Moreover, our Lord wants us to grow ever closer to Him by cherishing and sharing His love and His goodness with all we meet through our precious faith in Him.