The Importance of the Last Supper in Christianity

“When the hour came, he 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. (Luke 22:14-20)
 
Jesus, the New Covenant, has been present in the miracle of the Eucharist from the Last Supper until the present day. The words of consecration, taken from scripture, contain the commandment “do this in memory of me”, and were realized then, and at every Mass since. Artistic renderings, placed in the service of instructing the faithful, have been instrumental in catechesis. Stained glass depictions, along with other media, have bolstered faith and provided inspiration throughout the centuries. Unfortunately, the arts have also been used to spread heresy and sacrilege under the banner of artistic license and freedom of speech.
 
Artistic expression was on full display last week in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in France. A thinly veiled mockery of the Last Supper was presented in the form of a bizarre bacchanal causing a backlash among Christians throughout the world. Almost immediately, apologists surfaced on social media to inform all who were offended that they failed to understand art and history, and any outrage was brought about by a limited world view.
 
The Last Supper, in any interpretation, deserves the utmost reverence as it depicts the very essence of the Christian faith. The sordid display put forth at the Olympics has already been taken down, and an apology has been issued. Perhaps committees in the future will keep a closer eye on any production that has the potential of alienating viewers and sponsors in such a profound way.