Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
Lead in: In Mark 14, we hear the story of the first Eucharist. Popular Catholic speaker and teacher Scott Hahn says that if the Eucharist is nothing more than a meal, then Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary was nothing more than an execution. True, the Eucharist includes aspects of a meal. But it is much more. The meal is the context for the remembering of the Passover event of death leading to life, Christ’s life celebrated in the new covenant established by Christ. It’s a covenant initiated Good Friday on the cross, completed Easter Sunday in the Resurrection and foretold Holy Thursday at the Last Supper.
Prompt: If the Mass is the celebration of the mystery of Christ’s Passover from death to life, reflect on a “Passover event” in your life where a dying experience led to a Resurrection experience that has opened in you a new way of experiencing life.
Lead in: Mark 14:12-16 describes how arrangements were made for an “upper room” where Jesus met with the disciples to celebrate the feast of the Passover.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when the Mass became that intimate “upper room” experience for you. What can you do to make the Mass more of the “upper room” experience that we all are looking for?
Lead in: Mark 14:22-26 says that, “While they were eating, He (Jesus) took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them and said, ‘Take it (and eat). This is my body.’ Then He took up the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them.” These are the words of consecration the priest prays at Mass, “Take and drink, for this is my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many. Do this in memory of me.”
Prompt: When we do something in memory of someone, it can be a powerful way of keeping that person alive in our hearts. What about the Mass helps you keep Jesus alive in your heart?
Prompt: Reflect on an experience that helped you keep someone you love alive in your heart.
Lead in: Exodus 24:3-8 describes the covenant between God and the Israelite people. A covenant is a solemn agreement that in ancient times was usually sealed in blood. To sprinkle two people with the same blood bonded them as closely as if they were blood relatives. A blood brother or sister in today’s language is what we might refer to as our soul friend, that person who has been there for you, who knows you through and through yet still loves and accepts you, and who has helped you become the person you are today.
Prompt: Reflect on your experience of that blood brother or sister (soul friend) who has been there for you and for whom you will always be grateful.
