The Eucharistic Liturgy
A study of this section of Matthew would not be complete without a discussion of the Eucharistic themes present in verses 26-29.
Judas has departed and Christ now reveals the mystery of the Eucharist to the eleven present. Christ gives to us his body and blood so that he might always be present with us. Jesus gives this bread to us so that we might sacramentally share in his death. This is the beginning of our central act of worship. He breaks the bread which has become his body, and his body will shortly become broken and twisted on the cross for the salvation of all people. The wine has become the blood of the Lamb sacrificed for the expiation of all sins. It is the blood that will spill from his side and wet the ground at the foot of the cross as his Mother, our Mother, watches in sadness and pain.
The Douay-Rheims translation states that "this is the blood of the new testament, which will be shed for the remission of sins." Christ, in the sacrifice of his body and the pouring out of his new blood, has won for us a new covenant with the Father - a covenant which binds all people of faith to Him for all eternity. This new covenant restores our right relationship with God, a relationship broken by sin and selfishness.
Jesus completes this act of self-sacrifice and covenant with a promise. He "will not drink from henceform the fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father." In these words, Jesus promises that this new covenant will endure until the time when all people are gathered unto Him, and thus unto the Father. This is a revealed truth about the mission of the Son - to bring all people to the Father.
Let's look a bit closer at the plan of God. (click here)
Ubi Caritas et Amor
"Where true charity and love are found,
there I am in your midst..."