"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.
L'Ultima Cena as Italians say – the Last Supper – coinciding as it does with the great Passover meal, celebrated by Jews the world over in memory of their flight to freedom from Egypt. Jesus entered Jerusalem on the very same day as the Jews chose their sacrificial lambs – took them into their homes and kept them as part of their families until they were slaughtered in readiness for the Passover Feast. It would turn out that Jesus too, mirroring the progression of the great festival - is himself taken into the family of the city and later crucified on the very same day as the sacrificial lambs.
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,
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
And reclining together then before the meal he then told them that some of them would later betray him and they all vigorously denied they ever would.
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;
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.
Some say this is a mystery that even the angels cannot comprehend - and ultimately this is what it will always be. It would be utterly facetious to offer any definitive words - for this is a subject worthy of a lifetime’s contemplation and even then ….
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.
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
And this is indeed part of the Mystery - this idea that in approaching the numinous we might re-connect - if only for a moment - with that part of ourselves - the sacred within - from which, as souls incarnated upon the earth we are estranged. The desire to return is hard- wired within us all – and this explains the power of ritual.
Of course there are valid objections to such seeming archaic practice.
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
And the fact remains we are forever searching for the lost parts of ourselves, the parts hidden and covered over by the realities of the mundane world.
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,
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
Much Love
Anne Maria Clarke
x x x
Anne Maria Clarke
x x x
These meditations for Easter Week are based on the exquisite 14th century fresco cycle by Giotto di Bondone, from The Scrovegni Chapel, Padua (Italy), that so beautifully elucidate the story as it unfolds.
