The legacy of Last Supper

By John B. Monteiro
Bellevision Media Network

 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you…. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have  love for one another”

 

 

28 Mar 2013: Last Supper takes place on Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, which falls on  March 28 this year, is known for the institution of Holy Eucharist  (Christa-Prasad) and the priesthood of the church. When the time came for  observing the Passover, the annual feast of the Jews, commemorating the  destroying angel passing over the houses of Israelites when he slew the  first-born of the Egyptians, the disciples went to Jesus to ask where they  should prepare for him to eat the Passover. He told them, “ Go into the city  and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he  enters, say to the householder, ‘ the Teacher says, where is my guest room,  where I am to eat the Passover?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us”. Accordingly, the disciples  prepared the Passover.

 

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to his  disciples and said, “Take; this is my body”. And he took a cup (of wine),  and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and they all drank of it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out  for many”. He added, “Do this in remembrance of me”

 

The Holy Eucharist celebrated daily by the priest, wherein bread and wine are believed to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ, is based on this action and command at the Last Supper. Originally, Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, was given under the form of bread and wine. Now, though the priest consecrates both bread and wine, the congregation is offered, for practical reasons, as Holy Communion only in the form of bread – a thin white wafer cut to the shape and size of a one-rupee coin.

 

A second aspect of Maundy Thursday is the washing of feet of the disciples by Jesus – an outstanding instance of leading by example. At the Last Supper, Jesus rose, laid aside his outer garments and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and wiped them with the towel.

 

When Jesus finished washing the feet of his disciples, put on his garments  and resumed his place, he said to them: “Do you know what I have done to  you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If then,  your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one  another’s feet. For I have given you an example,  that you also should do as I have done to you”.

 

John B. Monteiro, author and journalist, is editor of his website www.welcometoreason.com (Interactive Cerebral challenger).