Peter San AngeloMarch 25, 2002Quiz # 2 Essay # 1How does Christ demonstrate he would remain sacramentally present to the community in the ritual of the Last Supper? At the Last Supper, which is also known as the sacred meal Jesus spoke to his disciples with the outmost amount of trust. He let them know through his words that he would be a part or one with them through anything. He actually said to them he would remain in their human lives no matter what. This meant that Jesus would be with them whether he was alive or dead. These disciples were his twelve closest friends. “Sacred meals, expressive of the human relationship to the devine, form a part of the ritual practice of many religions they share a sacred meal with God as a sign of their acceptance by him through the sacrificial act” (Paul Bradshaw.
Early Christian Worship, A basic introduction to ideas and practice, The Liturgical Press, 1996, p. 38). This quote shows the significance of the Last Supper. It was at this time that Jesus made a impact on these disciples for eternity. The disciples truly learned at this final meal that the Lord Jesus was and forever will be the chosen one. While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body”.
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom. ” (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha, New York, 1973, Matthew 26:26-28). By saying these words, and making the actions that Jesus made, we see that the disciples will forever recall the life and death of Jesus, as well as all of Jesus’ achievements.
Passover relates to the Last Supper through what can be called a Passover celebration. When celebrating Passover we remember Christ’s passing over the Israelites houses. When celebrating it is the berakoth, or the head of the household that actually leads the ritual. There is actually steps that occur while celebrating the Passover. Bread is handeled, then a small blessing is said before the bread is broken. The ieces of the bread are then passed out to the people at the table, and then wine is poured.
After this, a long blessing occurs, and then the wine is drank. Most commonly food is then given out to be eaten just like the food Jesus gave to his Disciples at the actual time of the Last Supper. The Passover like mentioned above is created to remember God’s greatest actions. There are meals that are commonly done at other times than just Passover. These meals are called anamnesis.
At these meals, an epiclesis is said. This means that prayers spoken at the ceremony with the break of the bread and distribution of the wine, are said for God to continue his saving and forgiveness forever. There are also other times that we can give a great offering to the Lord, and it’s not necessarily delivered through a meal. At every Mass a Christian goes to, a Priest will say the words of the Jesus. This part of Mass is the Eucharist.
Through Eucharist the followers of Jesus are one with Christ. The Eucharist Ritual at Mass is where the anaphora, or great offering actually comes into play. This is where Christians devote some sort of offering to the Lord. It doesn’t matter if its’ your heart , soul, anything, as long as its’ an offering that allows Christ to share his love with us. All of these different ways to show appreciation to Jesus Sacramentally, that he is in our life are accepted by the Lord.
However, Jesus also shows too us that he appreciates us by Jesus’ actions at that Last Supper.
