Sep 19 Thu
The Last Supper, Calvary, the Holy Mass, are the same sacrifice?
During the Last Super, our Lord anticipated the bloody sacrifice which he would accomplish the following day on the cross once and for all for the redemption of the world.
We can reconstruct how our Lord celebrated the Last Supper observing the traditional rite of the Jewish Passover; it included the serving of four ceremonial cups or chalices of wine mixed with water.
• The first cup was poured and the wine was blessed.
• Then in succession the bitter herbs, the unleavened loaves, and the dipping sauce were brought in. At this moment, the treachery of Judas could have been foretold. Then, the paschal lamb was also brought in.
• The second cup was poured, and the father of the family instructed those present, above all the children, on the meaning of the feast.
• Then followed the singing of the first part of the Hallel, a song of praise to God made up of Psalms 113 to 118.
• After the song, our Lord, departing from Jewish custom, got up, washed the disciples’ feet with the “second water” intended to be used for washing the hands of the guests towards the end of the meal. Then he sat down. He expressed his desire to eat that Passover with them, since he would not eat any other. Meanwhile, he told the disciples that he was not to drink of the fruit of the vine anymore; the hour of his passion was approaching.
• Then he took bread, possibly a loaf which had to be left on the table –as was customary to indicate that no more food was going to be served, marking the end of the meal. He pronounced over the berakah, a “blessing” of “thanksgiving.” He consecrated it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples.
• Towards the end of the meal, the third cup was served; he consecrated it, and gave it to them to drink.
• Once the institution of the Eucharist was over, they completed the second part of the Hallel. It is possible that the fourth cup was never served; it is not mentioned in the Scriptures. Afterwards, they went out to Mount Olivet.
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With this ceremony, our Lord anticipated in the Upper Room his own immolation and oblation which were to be accomplished in Calvary the following day. Moreover, we shall see how Christ’s sacrifice is as true and effective in every Mass as in Calvary. St John Chrysostom, overcome with awe, expressed this identity in these accurate and eloquent words:
“I wish to add something that is awe-inspiring, but do not be surprised or upset. What is this? It is the same offering, no matter who offers it, be it Peter or Paul. It is the same one that Christ gave to his disciples and the same one that priests now perform."
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