“And he took 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.'” (Luke 22:19)
On the evening of Holy Thursday, during Holy Week, Jesus gathered with His apostles at the table of His last Passover meal. He instituted the sacraments of the Eucharist and the priesthood, and washed their feet as a sign of humility and service, marking the beginning of a new path that the apostles would walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.
On this day Jesus Christ instituted the sacraments of the Eucharist and the priesthood: He changed the bread of the meal into His Body, and the wine into His Blood.
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘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 26:26-28)
These words symbolize the Christian Passover, the passage from death to life. The Eucharist anticipates what would take place on the Cross: the offering of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. Jesus offers Himself as the new Passover for humanity, showing that the sacrifice of the Cross did not happen by chance, but that He freely hands Himself over to the Cross (“This is my body, this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for you”).
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
