Faith Reflection

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 - This is my body. This is my blood.

In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear of Jesus’ Last Supper with the disciples. On the first day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, He found a place to celebrate the Passover meal. In the upper room, Jesus takes some bread, gives a blessing, breaks it, and gives it to them, saying, "Take it; this is my body." He then takes the cup, shares it, and says, "This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many."

To understand this more fully, there are some key elements that need to be unpacked. For many people, it can be a bit surprising to remember that Jesus wasn’t a ‘Catholic,’ as the Church hadn’t been formed yet. Rather, Jesus was a Jew. Accordingly, the audience He was speaking to would have immediately understood the links between what He was saying and the Hebrew Scriptures. The Passover commemorates the freeing of the Jews from Egypt. After several plagues were unleashed by God on the Egyptians, He sent the final plague due to their stubbornness: every firstborn in the city was killed in their sleep. However, Moses instructed his followers to get a lamb to eat and put its blood on their doors. Where this was done, no harm would come to the people in that home. Later, they fled Egypt and were commanded to follow God’s Laws through the Torah.

At the Last Supper, Jesus is re-enacting this event with some key differences. Rather than a lamb being sacrificed, it would be Jesus. Through His sacrifice, the sins of all would be forgiven, and a new relationship between people and God would be forged. Rather than a covenant with obligations between God and people, humankind would become the children of God. In turn, we are called to love one another, and in doing so, we show our devotion to God.

Every day, parishes throughout the world celebrate Mass, where the priests recite the words and re-enact the Last Supper. While it may seem like a simple re-enactment, it is not strictly so. Throughout the Mass, we are living out and experiencing the Last Supper in real time—it is as though it is happening in front of us. At Communion, we receive the bread and wine just as if Jesus were handing it to us in that room almost 2000 years ago. In doing so, we are given the spiritual nutrients to live out His mission on Earth, much like a hiker needs rations to recharge on their journey.

This week, we are called to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the miracle of the Mass that we experience every week. Consider attending a daily Mass, reflecting on the miracles around us that we may not notice, or saying grace before your dinner meal with your family.

By Jonathan Rooney

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Sacraments

Confirmation - Sunday 28th July @ 2.00pm

First Communion - Saturday 9th November @ 6.00pm

Sunday 10th November @ 10.00am

Saturday 16th November @ 6.00pm

Sunday 17th November @ 10.00am

Class Mass Timetable

Term 2 2024
Date	Class	Theme
31.5.2024	3/4 W	Reconciliation
7.6.2024	3/4 TG	Sacred Heart
14.6.2024		No Mass
21.6.2024	1/2 SM	Generosity
28.6.2024	No Mass
Term 3 2024
19.7.2024	1/2 DS	God’s Gifts
26.7.2024	0 L	Grandparent’s Day - Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim
2.8.2024	0 P	St John Vianney Feast Day
9.8.2024	0 KC	Mary Mackillop
30.8.2024	5/6 O	Father’s Day
6.9.2024	1/2 M	Creator God
13.9.2024	1/2 W	Holy Name of Mary
20.9.2024	5/6 L	Peace
Term 4 2024
11.10.2024	5/6 J	Mary - Rosary
25.10.2024	1/2 B	We are God's hands
8.11.2024	3/4 C	Love, Kindness, Family Let your light shine

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