Study of the Readings

Ed. by
Joyce Ann Zimmerman, et al.

• Words, Phrases
• To the point
• First Two Readings
• Experience

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Let the Scriptures Speak

Dennis
Hamm, SJ

Paul on the Lord's Supper

What we have come to call the Eucharist (from Greek) or the Mass (from Latin)—
commemorates Jesus’ “handing over” of himself for our redemption; thus our celebration of that event should be evident in our “handing over” of ourselves to one another.

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The Word Embodied

John Kavanaugh, SJ

In the Beginning Was Covenant

Christ’s body and blood is the covenant. He himself is the promise of God. We in turn affirm our side of the covenant, proclaiming the mystery of faith: “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.”

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Historical Cultural Context

John J. Pilch

Meals

Grain, oil, and wine were the three staples of this culture, with grain and its products—
especially bread—
being the most important. Bread provided about one-half the caloric intake of much of the ancient Mediterranean world.

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Thoughts
from the
Early Church

John Chrysostom

I do not show you angels or archangels, heaven or the heaven of heavens, but I show you the very Lord of all these. Do you not see how you gaze, here on earth, upon what is most precious of all?

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Scripture In Depth

Reginald H. Fuller

We generally think of the Last Supper as the institution of the Eucharist. But the New Testament sees two further bases for the rite: the meals of the earthly Jesus with his followers and the appearance meals after the resurrection.

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