Let us pray for a closer union with Christ during this holy season. Almighty, ever-living God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming one of us and giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection. Amen
Luke 22:14-20
When the hour came, Jesus 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, for I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”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.
How much ink, paint, marble, and glass have been used to attempt to express a theme, a mood, or a presentation of what it all means. We keep the memory alive each time we gather for the Eucharist. We intensify the meaning during this Holy Week. Each conversation Jesus has, each action, each event of denial or injury, speaks the same reality. The apostles, the Jewish leaders, the soldiers, none understood during these events what he was doing for them. The apostles slept while he prayed his obedient surrender. They fled while he remained faithful. For all the art and words, we still do not fully comprehend the embrace. We can catch fleeting emotions and ideas about what Jesus’ death means, but we have heard it all so often that the embrace can seem more like a handshake or simple nod. There is still some sleeping going on within us as we consider being loved so dearly. There is always the possibility and reality of our denials of his invitations to follow him. What do we do then; with what do we pray during these holy days of our eternal Passover?
Loving God, we are just beginning to realize how much you love us. Your son, Jesus was humble and obedient. He fulfilled your will for him by becoming human and suffering with us. We ask you for the desire to become more humble so that our lives might also bear witness to you. Please, Lord, guide our minds with your truth. Strengthen our lives by the example of Jesus. Help us to be with Jesus this week as he demonstrates again his total love for us. He died so that we would no longer be separated from you. Help us to feel how close you are and to live in union with you. Amen
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