The Last Passover

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
Holy Days
Passover

Matthew 26:20-30  The Message

^20-21 After sunset, he and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, “I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators.”
²² They were stunned, and then began to ask, one after another, “It isn’t me, is it, Master?”
^23-24 Jesus answered, “The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!”
²⁵ Then Judas, already turned traitor, said, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?”
Jesus said, “Don’t play games with me, Judas.”

The Bread and the Cup

^26-29 During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples:

Take, eat.
This is my body.

Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them:

Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
God’s new covenant poured out for many people
    for the forgiveness of sins.

“I’ll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I’ll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father.”

³⁰ They sang a hymn and went directly to Mount Olives.

For Reflection 

Often a shared meal becomes a holy event. This common every day necessity is transformed into an opportunity for deep spiritual enrichment.  It is not so much the topic of discussion that is important.  Often sharing a meal is the action which binds us to each other in the community of God.  How often do you break bread together with friends and family?  In the discussion of every day affairs, do you seek to discover God in your midst?

Pray

that you will interpret the events in your life to be Holy and centered in God's grace.  Pray that you will find spiritual sustenance in fellowship with each other and the Holy Spirit.