A handmade Communion set made by my daughter, Nellie M. Garcia while at Southwestern University.
Why is This Night Different from Other Nights?
From Luke 22: 1-23: Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it." They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations for it?" "Listen," he said to them, "when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, "The teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" ' He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there." So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
Judas' problem was that he tried to outthink Jesus. He sought a way to be a step ahead of He who knows all things. We ourselves, sometimes think that we know more, or at least when Jesus should act on our behalf. Jesus knew the plan of God and was living it out. Judas, many believe, was acting out a plan that some from that previous Sunday had expressed and hoped would come soon; a political uprising that would restore Israel to freedom and greatness. This passage begins with the heartbreaking story of betrayal. This particular gospel does not include the amount, but tradition tells us it was 30 pieces of silver. Judas left with an agreement to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no one was around.
Then came the Passover, which required much preparation, and to their surprise, like Palm Sunday, everything was in order. There was no need to worry when Jesus was in charge. Then the hour came and Jesus took His place among the 12 and says this, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." So, this is the reference to the first Communion; the best is yet to come. The with the cup, Jesus said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." It is coming! The supper continued and Jesus took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, and broke it giving it to them saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant of my blood." Precious, powerful blood of the Lord, poured out for you and me.
The drama intensified when Jesus said that one among them was to betray Him. All asked, "Is it me?" One knew already.
PRAYER: Loving God, tonight is different from all nights because of what we read above. Jesus gave us this sacrament as a reminder of what He did for us on that Friday, to help us celebrate tonight every time we can; and to look forward to that which is coming someday. Be glorified in me and my life today, tonight, and all days. I pray this in the name of He who is the Lamb of God, given for all the world, with no exceptions, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
