Wednesday, March 20

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’’ (Luke 22: 19-20)

This passage, referred to as “the Institution of the Lord’s Supper,” is full of meaning on many levels for many: it signifies the renewal of the old covenant as well as the establishment of a new covenant with God; it makes us aware of the suffering and agonizing death that Christ is about to undergo. It also establishes for us one of our most important sacraments we have which is repeated each Sunday as we celebrate Holy Eucharist.

On another level it reflects Christ’s submitting and obeying God’s plan for him even if it meant the end of his earthly life. Not that death was necessarily “the plan,” but rather doing what was right and loving and charitable to all individuals (as God would have each of us do) even though those deeds got him in trouble with the Jewish and Roman authorities, and thus death was the result.

For me this scenario is also repeated in our present-day world when servicemen give up their time and, yes, sometimes their lives, to protect our country right or wrong. Or when any of us forget ourselves and go out of our way to help or treat another human being with dignity.

Thank you, Lord Christ, for these gifts to us. 

Mary Lou Beckett