"The Last Supper", 1304, by Giotto di Bondone (1270-1337)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
When the night of the Passover came – he took a room and gathered together with his disiples for the traditional meal. And before they ate he washed their feet, saying,
“What I’m about to tell you is true. A servant is not more important than his master. And a messenger is not more important than the one who sends him. Now you know these things. So you will be blessed if you do them. –
John 13:12b-17
Jesus washing the feet of the Disciples 1304-3106, by Giotto di Bondone
Tomorrow - we will see - when we look at Giotto’s powerful fresco- The Kiss of Judas – the truth we already know. In a few hours’ time he will be betrayed and events will gather pace but for now there is a moment of precious peace – a last moment to be together and share their final meal. Taking the bread in his hands then & giving thanks;
He said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice, and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith.
What we can say is that it’s a story wholeheartedly entered into still by millions across the world each day, each week - as if it were truly real - like stepping through a portal if you like - into a realm out of time - not part of the everyday world - but always close by - accessed through the ceremony and the ritual of the Mass.
For others it is simply a re - enactment in gracious memory. Yet whatever it is and at whatever level remembered, it pays homage to Jesus and to this moment in time.
Joseph Campbell has said, the Mass is "a metaphor open to transcendence," and as such it is capable of miraculous effects in transforming not only bread and wine, but the human personality as well.
The Gnosis of The Eucharis: by Stephan A. Hoeller
Of course there are valid objections to such seeming archaic practice.
It has often been accompanied by blind superstition. Still, it must be remembered that a lack of consciousness will regularly turn meaningful and transformative practices into superstitious ones.
The Gnosis of The Eucharist: by Stephan A. Hoeller
You know it never ceases to amaze me each Sunday at the monastery where I attend Mass – just how many people are there at 8am in the morning, after a hard week at work and I often wonder what draws them. There are many explanations I know, and yet I like to imagine – and in many ways I know it to be true – that they are as moths drawn to the flame – the irresistible flame - the flame imperishable - as Tolkien called it - and to get that little bit closer,
… to the secret that blazes forth at the centre of the mystery.
Myths may bring us nearer, magic may illuminate, philosophy may elucidate, but the mystery remains, as it must, for it is in us and we are in it.
The Gnosis of The Eucharist: by Stephan A. Hoeller
Anne Maria Clarke
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