The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Dear friends, we have entered into the Easter Triduum today with one of the most profound and intimate words from Jesus Christ Himself. Today is one of my favorite days of the liturgical calendar: the Memorial of the Institution of the Eucharist and priesthood.
Our readings today take us back to the Last Supper and the moments Jesus shares with the apostles. All I think of is how intimate and sacred His time was with His friends.
There is something so special about eating and drinking with people for special occasions and important moments in our lives, such as a birthday or anniversary. We often don’t think about how personal it is to share a meal with someone. Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of work, family, events, or sleep it can be difficult to stop and share a meal with the people in your life that mean the most to you. Now imagine that you have just found out you are in your final days, and you get to share your final moments with the people dearest to you.
Today we remember Jesus’ final moments with the people He loved. We hear His words as He turns bread and wine into His body and blood. These words give us what we now see and hear every time we go to Mass. He is alive and tangible to us now. And as Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, we see the moment where He models how he wants them to love one another. How He wants us to love each other.
Friends, today we get to once again see Jesus’ love for us. An intimate, personal, and tangible love. Today is just the start of His greatest act of love that we get to reflect on and celebrate this weekend. A love that He so deeply wants to share with you until the end.
Let us pray together: Jesus, may I receive you today with sincerity and conviction. May Your Body and Blood be a tangible reminder of Your love and sacrifice. May Your love sustain us until the end. Amen
Kathryn Sevilla is a special education teacher in San Antonio, TX. She loves finding the good and beautiful in Texas state parks with her husband. Her passions include eating local and laughing until she cries. Check her out on Instagram!