Week 5 – Monday 4 April

“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.’”

Reading

Luke 22.7-23

The Preparation of the Passover

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.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

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.

Reflection

Scripture holds deep wisdom about humanity. From the early times of the people’s Exodus from Egypt, they were told to remember the stories and the reasons for the stories. To help them remember, they were given words and actions to perform together. When you learn a sport, or a musical instrument, you develop muscle memory, which takes over so you do not need to think about what you need to do. In the words and actions we repeat in worship, we develop spiritual and ethical memory that can sustain and shape our lives.

The instructions about Holy Communion give a pattern for the life of the community: gather together, share a simple meal between equals, between companions, as all eat and drink of the same simple fare, gathered around Jesus. How can this ‘muscle memory’ shape our lives more widely?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, may we remember you through our worship, our daily words and actions, our choices and attitudes: form us into your likeness as we share our lives as your people. Amen.

Today’s family challenge

Say thank you to God every time you eat today

We know Jesus gave thanks to God before sharing bread with his friends. Remembering to thank God for our food – and to pray for those who don’t have enough – is a good habit.