Praying the Communion Antiphon Series: Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper

Praying the Communion Antiphon series.

Praying the Communion Antiphon Series.

A Time Set Apart: Holy Thursday (Evening Mass)

Given for You

Communion Antiphon (1 Corinthians 11:24–25)
This is my Body, which is for you;
this cup is the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord.
Do this in memory of me.

 

Thinking About the Words

“This is my Body…”

There is no explanation here.

No symbolism softened. Just a direct gift.

This is.

“Which is for you…”

This is very personal.

Not abstract.
Not general.

For you.

Each person present.
Each person receiving.

“This cup is the new covenant in my Blood…”

This takes us back to covenant:

• promises
• relationship
• belonging

Now the covenant is no longer written on stone.

It is sealed in the Blood of Christ.

“Do this in memory of me.”

This is not just remembrance.

In Scripture, memory means:

• making present
• entering into
• participating in

What happens tonight does not remain in the past.

It continues.

 

A Deeper Insight

Everything we have seen in these last days comes together here:

• “handed over for us all”
• “a ransom for many”
• “to serve and to give”

Now it becomes visible:

He gives Himself.

Freely.
Deliberately.
Lovingly.

 

Connection to the Gospel

Tonight’s Gospel (John 13:1–15):

Jesus washes the feet of His disciples.

This is extraordinary because to wash the feet was the role of the slave.

The One who gives His Body and Blood
first kneels… and serves.

So we see:

• the Eucharist
• and service

are inseparable.

 

Holding Both Together

At the table:

• He gives His Body
• He gives His Blood

At the basin:

• He gives Himself in service

Both reveal the same truth:

Love that kneels.
Love that gives.

 

At Communion

Tonight, Communion is different.

We receive not only:

• the Body of Christ

but the beginning of:

• the Passion
• the Cross gift that will be completed on Calvary

 

Reflection

• Do I truly receive the gift of Christ as “for me”?
• How am I called to serve others in my daily life?
• Can I allow myself to be loved and served by Christ?
• What does it mean for me to “do this in memory of Him”?

 

Tonight, everything becomes very still.

The Church does not rush.

We enter slowly into mystery.

And we hear these words, spoken not just once, but forever:

“This is my Body… given for you.”

Prayer

Lord,
you give yourself completely.
Teach me to receive your love
and to serve as you serve.

 

Other considerations.

The Mass does end with a blessing in its usual way  but the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the altar of repose representing the garden where Jesus prayed’ If it is possible let this chalice pass me by but not my will, yours be done’.