The Plan of God

There is implicit in these few verses the beginning or fulfillment of a new act of salvation as given to us by God and implemented through his Son.  Jesus says that his blood is “for the forgiveness of sins.”   While the first act of covenant with God and his people was one of freedom from physical bondage and slavery, this new act of covenant will free His people from the bondage of sin, a particular spiritual slavery to our passions and temptations.  Yet Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that this act of salvation is oriented toward the future.  In the final words of the meal, he states that he will not “drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”    Jesus couldn’t have more eloquently or more passionately expressed his hope for all of God’s children – that they will one day join the Father, Son and Holy Spirit around the banquet table of heaven, the glorious altar of God, and rejoice in our new-found freedom as children of the Eternal Father.

Finally, let us look at the texts of our current Holy Thursday liturgy, the liturgy which celebrates the Supper of the Lord.  What aspects of our study of the meal, Eucharistic liturgy, or the plan of God are found in these liturgical formulae?  (click here)