I - The Last Supper
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
During the meal Jesus took the bread, blessed
it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take this and eat it,” he
said, “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it
to them. “All of you must drink from it,” he said, “for this is my
blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for
the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink this fruit of the
vine from now until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s
reign.” (Mt 26:26-29)
Heavenly
Father, will we ever understand all that Jesus has done for us? As he
gathered with his disciples for the last time before he died, he washed
their feet to teach us that we must serve each other. And then while at
table, breaking bread and sharing the cup, Jesus offered the gift of
himself to his disciples – and to us. In the midst of the problems and
pains of our lives, it is easy to forget that we must serve as Jesus did.
As he gave himself to us in the Eucharist, nourish and sustain us that we
might share his life and his love with others. We ask this in the name of
Jesus. Amen
Lord Jesus, crucified and risen,
have mercy on us.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.