As we remember Jesus’ Last Supper we recall God’s Greatest Commandment given to us during the same meal: “Love one another as I have loved you!” (John 15:12) and demonstrated twice - in different ways - during the same meal ie:
> Jesus giving us His Body and Blood in the Most Holy Eucharist (1 Cor 11:23-26 as well as Mt, Mk and Lk)
> Jesus humbling Himself such as to wash his apostles (dirty) feet (John 13:2-17) including by the way Judas Iscariots’ …who was just about to betray Him.
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"I am the living bread
which has come from heaven;
whoever eats of this bread will live forever.
The bread I shall give is my flesh
and I will give it for the life of the world.”
(John 6:51)
“…the Lord Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying, “This is My Body which is broken for you; do this in memory of Me.” In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, He said, “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do it in memory of Me.” (1 Cor 11:23-25)
"My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
demands of us:
“do this in memory of me”
“ …the Son of Man
has not come to be served
“he got up from table, removed his garment and taking a towel, wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing." (John 13:4,5)
He demands that we do the same:
“If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet,
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After each of these actions Jesus demands of us that we do the same:
After He washed His Apostles’ feet Jesus said:
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There is much to read and say. The Church has continued to teach and proclaim these two actions and their meaning. Many saints have spoken and taught yet these same words and actions strike each one of us (even though not saints!) differently.
When I read and hear these lines I too get to think/reflect asking myself:
But what does it mean to “wash” anothers feet? …what does it mean other than be ready to serve another unconditionally? ...even if it requires of me that I get down on my knees and take off my “garment” ie: my pride?
“The celebration of the Eucharist … presupposes that communion already exists, a communion which it seeks to consolidate and bring to perfection.” (para 35)
…NO God I do not want to obey Your Commandment: “Love God” and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12:29-31). Yes Satan I’m fine with disobeying God …what use is it after all to Love Him and my nieghbour?
“How can I receive the Body of Christ if I am not willing to serve? Likewise how can I serve unless I am willing to receive the Body of Christ?”
"The Church has received the Eucharist from Christ her Lord not as one gift – however precious – among so many others, but as the gift par excellence, for it is the gift of Himself, of His person in His Sacred Humanity, as well as the gift of his saving work. (Para 10)
"The Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist; by Him she is fed and by Him she is enlightened. (Para 6) From this “living bread” she draws her nourishment. (Para 7)
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Mother Teresa, as many other saints, would spend hours before the Jesus in this Most Holy Sacrament. She would serve the people yet only after and as a continuation of her adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist!
For it is His Body which nourishes our souls and it is the same Body which enables us to serve others: we cannot celebrate the Eucharist unless we are in communion. We cannot be in communion unless we serve!
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As the Church thanks God for this Gift she - and hence we as Her Children - also thank God for priests:
We cannot celebrate the Eucharist unless we have communion
There can be no communion unless we have the Eucharist.
We need priests to have Eucharist!
The picture above shows us all three:
A priest
