"This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution." (Exodus 12: 14)
"Do this in memory of me."
The Passover foreshadows both the Last Supper and Calvary.
"This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
You shall be saved through the blood of the Lamb.
"God our Father, we are gathered here to share in the supper which your only Son left to his Church to reveal his love. He gave it to us when he was about to die and commanded us to celebrate it as the new and eternal sacrifice. We pray that in this Eucharist, we may find the fullness of love and life…." (Prayer at Mass)
The Eucharist reveals Christ's love for His Church. We see why the Church has guarded the Eucharist jealously for the past 2000 years. Not to do so would be much more grievous than being flippant with a wedding ring given by a much beloved spouse.
Jesus Christ invites us to the Eucharist but some people hear this invitation every day. The invitation and the answer prove Christ's immense love for them.
"I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." The Eucharist promises fullness of love and life. May I find both in the Eucharist, O Jesus. The Eucharist is a celebration of love and thanks.
"We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free." (Galatians 6: 14)
Glory in the cross of Jesus Christ. Do not be ashamed of it. The cross is the means of our salvation. But it is Jesus who is our salvation and life. Glory in your personal crosses. Do not be ashamed of them or reject them. Your personal crosses are also the means through which Jesus is saving you here and now. In your crosses, remember: "My grace is sufficient for you. For my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)
"All-powerful God, the Eucharist proclaims the death of your Son. Increase our faith in its saving power and strengthen our hope in the life it promises." (Prayer at Mass)
Christ commanded us to do the Eucharist in memory of Him. The Eucharist is not just the wish of Christ to be fulfilled by His followers. It is the greatest gift He left us. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." It is in the Eucharist that we eat this bread and appropriate the promise of life it makes. Have faith in the Eucharist and have life.
"And while they were eating he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." (Matthew 26: 21)
Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. May your grace protect me so that I do not betray you again. Look at my weakness and have pity on me.
"Answer me Lord in your generous love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; in my distress hasten to answer me. Come and ransom my life; because of my enemies redeem me. You know my reproach, my shame, my disgrace; before you stand all my foes. Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak; I looked for compassion, but there was none, for comforters, but found none. Instead they put gall in my food; for my thirst they gave me vinegar." (Psalm 69: 17-22)
A cry of anguish in great distress.
If you want to be my disciple, take up your cross everyday and follow me.