Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday; the day the historic and catholic church celebrates Jesus’ intuition of the Lord’s Supper often referred to as the Eucharist. From the Gospel of Matthew 26:26-30;

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

What does a covenant instituted two millennium ago mean for us today? Here is the explanation from the Small Catechism;

What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?

That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

In the Eucharist we are given a new covenant where Christ’s bride, the Church, receives the medicine of immortality, the very Body and Blood of Her Lord shed for her sins. Thanks be to God!

Here's last years Maundy Thursday post