April 14, 2022

“I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Today is Maundy Thursday, the commemoration of Jesus’ last supper. Every time you take communion, you remember that Christ died for you. The cup is the “new” covenant in His blood. The old covenant required an endless cycle of sacrifice for our sin. The new covenant changed all that. Or, as our BCP says, Christ’s death “is a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world.”

The old has passed away. Think about this on this Maundy Thursday – everything you need has been accomplished already on the cross.

“Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Maundy Thursday – BCP)