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Last Supper, Eucharist, and Final Discourse

64.—The Paschal Lamb.

1. On the first day of the Azymes the Jews were commanded by the law of Moses to sacrifice the Paschal lamb, and for eight days to eat unleavened bread. On that day Jesus told Peter and John to go and prepare the Pasch for Him and His disciples.

2. They went into the city, and, as Jesus had bidden them, prepared the Pasch. When the evening was come Jesus sat down to table with His twelve apostles, declaring how much and how long He had desired to eat that supper with them.

3. The Jewish Paschal lamb was a figure of Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb; for this reason Christ was by His own will put to death on the cross on the same day and at the very hour that year by year the Jewish Paschal lamb was offered in the Temple.

Questions to Consider : 64.—What was done on the first day of the Azymes?

65.—The Washing of Feet.

1. When they had all eaten, Jesus rose from the table and girded Himself with a towel. Then pouring water into a basin, He began to wash the feet of His disciples and to wipe them with the towel.

2. When He came to Peter, the brave apostle declared never should his word wash his feet; but when Jesus told him it was necessary, if he would have share with Him, Peter yielded.

3. After Jesus had washed the feet of the apostles, He again sat down and began to discourse to them on what He had done. "The servant," said He, "is not greater than the master; and if I, who am Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."

4. When Jesus said the washing of feet was necessary, He wished to show how necessary Baptism and Penance were. By these, sins are washed away through the merits of Christ; so was the washing of feet at the Last Supper a symbol of these sacraments.

Questions to Consider : 65.—Describe the washing of feet by Jesus. What did Peter do and say? Of what was the washing of feet a symbol?

66.—Christ Institutes the Blessed Sacrament.

1. After the washing of the apostles' feet came that sacred and solemn moment Christ had so long desired. He was about to enter on His Passion, and must fulfil that promise He had before made, that "He would give His body to eat and His blood to drink."

2. Therefore, while they were all sitting at the table, Jesus took of the bread that was before Him, and, holding it in His sacred hands, lifted up His eyes to heaven; then He gave thanks, and, blessing the bread, gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take ye and eat; this is My body which is given for you." By these words Jesus changed the bread into His adorable body.

3. Then He took the chalice, in which was a part of the wine that had been used at the supper, and, giving thanks, blessed it, and gave it also to His disciples, saying: "Drink ye all of this, for this is My blood of the new testament which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this for a commemoration of Me."

4. By these words Jesus changed the wine into His blood; and by the words, "Do this for a commemoration of Me,'' He ordained the apostles priests, and instituted for all time the august Sacrament of the Altar.

Jesus is the Melchisedech of the New Law, who, as King and Priest, offered Himself under the appearances of bread and wine.

Questions to Consider : 66.—Describe the institution of the Blessed Sacraments. What did Christ do? What did He say? What is Jesus in the New Law?

67.—Jesus Foretells the Treason of Judas and the Denial of Peter.

1. After the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus became depressed and very much troubled. He knew that Judas Iscariot was about to betray Him for the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver.

2. That the traitor might have no excuse, Jesus publicly declared "one of them was about to betray Him." Instantly there was a commotion among the apostles, and each began to ask: "Is it I?"

3. John, whom Jesus loved most tenderly, was sitting by His side. Peter made a sign to him to ask Jesus of whom He spoke. John, leaning on the bosom of Jesus, did so. Jesus answered: "It is he to whom I shall reach bread dipped;" and, immediately dipping the bread, He handed it to Judas. As soon as Judas had eaten the morsel, Satan entered into him, and, going out, he consummated his treason.

4. When Judas was gone Jesus said, in a very solemn manner: "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; I will be with you only a little while." Peter, hearing this, asked "where He would go." Jesus answered: "Where I go, thou canst not follow now." Peter became very much excited, and, with great vehemence, asked "why he could not follow now, as he was ready to lay down his life for Him."

5. But Jesus, turning to him, said: "Amen, amen, I say to thee, this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice."

Joseph was sold by his brothers, that he might save them in the time of famine; Jesus was sold by Judas, that He might redeem and save mankind.

Questions to Consider : 67.—After the institution of the Blessed Sacrament what happened to Jesus? How did Jesus act towards Judas Iscariot? What did Judas do? What did Jesus say to Peter?

68.—Christ's Last Discourse to His Apostles.

1. After Judas left the supper-room, Jesus, turning to the other apostles, said: "I am about to leave you, but before I go I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Be not troubled: I will not entirely leave you; at present I go to prepare a place for you in My Father's house; I will come again and take you with Me.

2. "I will also ask My Father to give you another Paraclete, who will teach you all things, and abide with you forever. I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one can come to the Father but through Me. I am the vine; My Father is the husbandman: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, shall bear much fruit. My peace I leave you; My peace I give you."

3. When Jesus had finished with these grave and affectionate words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said: "Father, the hour is come, glorify Thy Son. I pray for Mine; sanctify them. I pray not for Mine only, but for those also who, through their word, shall believe in Me, that they may be one with Me, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee."

Questions to Consider : 66.—What was Christ's last discourse to His apostles?