The Sign of the Cross
The Last Supper
Submitted by Thomas Stidl
Very little is known as to what was actually eaten at the Last Supper with Jesus and the apostles. Did Jesus and his apostles enjoy the traditional Seder meal? The Gospels do not give any details of what was on the menu that night. We would assume that Jesus and the apostles kept all the traditions of that meal. We also know that they celebrated that event. The gospels tell us about the most important aspect of that dinner.
While they were at supper, the Lord took bread into his most sacred hands. He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: “TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND EAT OF THIS, FOR THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.”
In a similar way, taking the chalice with the fruit of the vine, He gave thanks, and gave the chalice to his disciples saying: “TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.”
So whether Jesus and his disciples ate the traditional lamb meal or not, we know by faith that they ate the Lamb of God for sure. When you take the time to read the words of consecration, Jesus did not consider that the bread and the wine were symbols as some Protestant churches do. Jesus considered the consecrated bread and wine, his actual body, blood, soul, and divinity. This is why we are to do this in memory of him. That divine food fulfills the words of Jesus that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood so that we may also have his life within us. With that act along with washing the feet of his disciples, He became a servant to them. By his actions they in turn were to become servants of all of us. This was part one of the institution of the Priesthood. Part two came on the night of Resurrection Sunday when Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive sins. Part three would be reserved for the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost that would entail the preaching of the gospel as ordered by Jesus just before his Ascension into glory.
Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Deo Gratias. Gloria Tibi Domini. Praise be to God. See you in Paradise. Amen.