Thursday, May 2, 2013

Holy Thursday Morning


Holy Thursday Morning Liturgy
at which we remember the "Mystical (Last) Supper"



This morning we celebrated a liturgy at which we remembered the very first time that anyone ever had communion. It is called the Mystical (or Last) Supper.


In the Gospel we read that Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples  just like Jews do today. Except at this Passover meal, something very special happened. While they were eating, Jesus picked up a piece of bread, broke it into pieces, blessed it and then said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Then He gave it to his twelve disciples. And then He picked up a cup, which was full of wine, gave thanks to God, and then He said, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-27)



Do those words sound familiar? That's right, those are the same words which Fr. Philip says every Sunday morning, when they are consecrated (making holy) the bread and the wine for communion. Every Sunday we celebrate this same meal which Jesus ate with his disciples  but today is the day on which it actually happened!




(Well, there's alot of story to be told)


Now more things happened today too. Today we also heard in the Gospel that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Now why would He do that? He was their teacher, and even more than that--He is God! Why he do something like this for them? Well, the disciples has the same question. (They had a lot of questions you know.) Jesus said to them that he did this as an example about how they should treat each other. If Jesus is willing to do something respectful and kind to them, then they ought to do the same to each other and to everyone else. Jesus is own example too, so shouldn't be so kinds? After all, He may have not have washed our feet, but He did die for us.

Lastly, we heard in the Gospel today that after supper, Jesus and His disciples went up to the Mount of Olives (a nice green garden area outside the city of Jerusalem) and that while there were there, a group of men sent by the chief priests came to arrest Jesus. Then they took Him to the High Priests in order to condemn Him. We are going to hear lots more about this story tonight.




Here, Fr. Philip is cutting up the extra Lamb (that's the bread) that he consecrated Liturgy.


This small pieces will be placed into a box (pyx or artophorion), which we then be kept in the tabernacle on the altar.

Today Fr. Philip, consecrated all the extra, or reserve, communion that we use for the whole year. He will use this communion to take to people who are sick at home or in the hospital.




Tonight's Service:
12 Passion Gospels 6 PM


Tonight is when we read the whole story of Christ's last teachings, as well as His capture, torture, and crucifixion.
Please come and pray with us.


Note:
In 2012, St. George Lawrence hosted Bishop John for Holy Thursday Liturgy. Check it out!

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