Taken, blessed, broken and share,
“ This is my Body, this is my Blood “.
The Passover event.
Jesus’ Last Supper.
As the sun set that fateful night,
Jesus took bread and wine
In the upper room.
God was ensuring that Jesus’ Presence
Would remain with us always.
Christ’s words would breathe new meaning
Into bread and wine, a New Covenant.
As Jesus washed the feet of His disciples,
We were given a new vision of leadership.

 At this final supper Jesus invited us
Into a new intimacy with Him.
Forevermore, bread and wine would be
Blessed, broken and shared in His name.
The God of the universe uses humble gifts
Of bread and wine
To speak the language of His Covenant.
This is a profound gift –
The gift of the Eucharist.
Through the Eucharist,
We become one with Jesus.
God invites us to His table.

 The atmosphere in the Upper Room was
One of love, intimacy and recollection.
The disciples were shaken to
See Jesus washing their feet.
God saves us by serving us.
He loves us first.
He takes the initiative.
His love and humility amazes us.

The Eucharist is a Perpetual Memorial of
Christ’s Passion and death.
A New Commandment of Love is given to us.
Christ gives us the gift of Himself.
The Eucharist, transforms us into Christ.

 Do you serve those around you?
Do you care for other’s needs?
Do you show your love by your actions?
This is the heart of the Eucharist.
Humble service is our expression
Of our union with Christ.
Holiness is realised in our lives,
When we turn towards others,
When we put others first.

 Help us. Lord.
To understand what it means to be a servant.
He who is the God of the Universe,
Comes to us in a tiny white host.
This is the Bread of Life.
The Eucharist sends us out,
To share our bread with the hungry,
To bring healing to the sick.
To share the Gospel message.

 God, whom we meet in Bread and Wine,
Fill us with Your compassion,
That we may hear the cry of the poor.
Engender in us a thirst for justice –
That the hungry will be satisfied,
Stretch out our arms
To welcome into Eucharistic Communion,
The stranger, the refugee, the migrant.
Gather us all around one table,
To share together in Your Meal,
A foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet.

 

Ann Crowley rsm
South Central Province