DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Monday, July 9, 2018

After taking the cup, Jesus gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.  For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the realm of God comes into its fulfillment.”  And Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:17,19

In so many ways, one can contemplate the Last Supper and the words spoken by Christ … a moment we have relived for centuries, a moment we have recreated, a moment when re-voice those words of Christ.   We often focus on the breaking of bread and of the spilling of wine, a remembrance of the sacrifice made by Christ and so many of us who followed.  We often focus on the covenant made, a new covenant wherein the images of Old Covenant sacrifices were used to ushered in a new covenant of the Spirit, the self-giving Love, and the sacrifice of sinful pride.  We often focus on the Oneness formed by way of the mercy and grace in the forgiveness of our sins and the sins of the whole world.  But today … I view the Last Supper and the Holy Communion through Christ’s act of sharing, sharing the bread, sharing the wine, sharing the life, sharing the mission.

In Christ, we share in this blessing, calling, way of life and work … together.  All that we do is meant to be accomplished through the act of SHARING.  And yet … throughout Christian history, we have chosen the easier course of SEPARATION, DIVISION, and even EXILING THOSE OTHERS FROM OUR VERY MIDST.

In the sharing, we care for each other.  In the sharing, we acre for the world.  In the sharing, we tell and model the miracle of grace.  In the sharing, we tell the stories of Christ and echo the words He spoke.   In sharing, we provide for the mutual need and the common cause.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz