Returning to the Last Supper

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark
     On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
     when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
     Jesus’ disciples said to him,
     "Where do you want us to go
     and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
     He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
     "Go into the city and a man will meet you,
     carrying a jar of water.
     Follow him.
     Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
     'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
     where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
     Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
     Make the preparations for us there."
     The disciples then went off, entered the city,
     and found it just as he had told them;
     and they prepared the Passover.
     While they were eating,
     he took bread, said the blessing,
     broke it, gave it to them, and said,
     "Take it; this is my body."
     Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
     and they all drank from it.
     He said to them,
     "This is my blood of the covenant,
     which will be shed for many.
     Amen, I say to you,
     I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
     until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
     Then, after singing a hymn,
     they went out to the Mount of Olives.


     Wow! After reflecting on this Gospel, I was taken directly to mass, to the moment we watch our priests prepare the altar for the holiest of sacrifices.  The care, love and attention to detail that they put into every beautiful step; it’s like poetry in motion.  They repeat the words of Jesus, “This is my body... This is my blood...” In that moment, heaven meets earth before our very eyes!  The same words Jesus spoke to the apostles are still being used 2,000 years later, and the awe and wonder we owe this moment that happens thousands of times every day across the world is unfathomable!  I believe we may never fully understand what exactly is taking place on this side of Heaven, right in front of us.

     In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to live in us, so that we may live in Him. We often fail to recognize His true presence, or even doubt His presence at all.  Even the two men, walking along the road to Emmaus who encounter the resurrected Jesus, fail to recognize Him.  It’s not until He takes bread, blesses it and breaks it, that their eyes are opened. It is here in the Gospel passage that Jesus disappears, or does He?  The short answer - No, He remains in the Eucharist! This is how He continues to come to us today.   How does the true presence of Jesus’ body and blood make you feel?

     One of the most rewarding parts of this past year of quarantining was the longing desire I felt to “take and eat” the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. For so long we took for granted this readily available meal, until it was taken away.  When that opportunity was suddenly gone, it hurt to not receive the sustenance for my soul.  Something about attending virtual mass just wasn’t enough and our souls craved more in the process. The dispensations made it so easy to miss mass, just this once. We would tell ourselves, “We can listen to it later,” only never to get around to doing it.  Does your soul crave the Eucharist?
 
     It’s probably the same way the apostles felt after Jesus was crucified.  Their leader, Messiah, “my Lord and my God” was gone.  It happened so fast, from the Last Supper to the crucifixion, and suddenly they were without Jesus, quarantined from Him, if you will. Just as Jesus returned to them three days later, He returns to us still today in every mass!

     When the meal is finished, as the priest clears the altar, I often find myself brought to a much different setting, far away and a long time ago, where Mary is gently and lovingly washing the body of our crucified Lord.  I can only imagine the tenderness she used to wipe every wound of her only Son, that died, so we might live! I see that same amount of love poured out by the priest, down to the smallest of details.  Being ever so careful not to dishonor the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. How will this reflection change your perception of the Eucharistic celebration?

     For over 2000 years the Catholic Church has celebrated the mass, following the steps handed down from the apostles and Last Supper.  Jesus left us this gift, the gift of the mass, to do this in His memory.  His apostles spread His teachings throughout the world and many of them gave their own lives to ensure that these rituals would not be lost. How much more of a testament to the teachings of Jesus can one give, than to lay down his life for them?

     Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed!

About the Author: Originally from Raceland, Louisiana, Lenny Rodrigue is a husband and father who currently serves on the confirmation team at St. John the Evangelist in Prairieville. In the past, Lenny has also served on the men’s ACTS Retreats, which he credits to reinvigorating his faith later in life and sparking a devotion to the rosary and the Blessed Mother. In his free time, Lenny enjoys writing for his personal blog “The Lost Sheep,” which consists of reflections based on daily bible readings. 
What was the 1st DC (or cassette if you’re old school) do you remember listening to as a kid: Call me super old school - Elvis Presley, “Aloha from Hawaii” on vinyl
What is your favorite smell: A campfire
What food would you eat every day for the rest of your life: Fajitas
What is your favorite hymn from “The Gather” hymnal: “Open the Eyes of my Heart”

Learn More About Red Stick Catholics

The Well is a weekly reflection series from Red Stick Catholics that was created to allow young adults from the Diocese of Baton Rouge to reveal how God is speaking to them through prayer and Scripture. Each reflection contains the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, a reflection written by a young adult from the Diocese of Baton Rouge and prompts for how to pray with the Gospel and reflection during the week. If you are interested in writing a reflection, please email Nicole at [email protected].