"In Remembrance of Me"

As we go back to the final moments of Jesus and his disciples, one can't help but ask the question what was in the mind of Jesus? First and foremost, there was this argument going on as to who is the greatest among them. Second, there was the declaration of who the traitor is. And then, lastly, there is the prediction of Peter's upcoming denial of the Son of Man.

As Christians, we have become familiar with the word's Jesus' said that night. Strangely enough, according to Barclay, the form of his words never came from the Gospels but rather from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians which was said to be written prior to the Gospels. Jesus gives thanks and breaks the bread and said: "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Then after that, he takes the cup and says: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Interestingly enough, according to Barclay, in Matthew and Mark the word "new" is not placed before the word "covenant." Only in 1 Cornthians can you find this word configuration.

More important than this is finding out what Jesus meant by his words.

Of course, the Passover will always serve as a background for this event. Initially, this event reminds people of how God, through the blood of the lamb, was able to liberate them from the clutches of the Egyptians. Then after that, Jesus gave new meaning to this meal by equating himself as the sacrifical lamb that liberates humankind from sin.

In addition, the event brings out the idea of covenant. That a new relationship between God and humankind has been established through the life of Jesus Christ. Unlike the old covenant, where everythings is based on our obedience to the law, the new covenant is maintained by the blood, life and death of Jesus Christ. And because of this a new relationship between God and humankind has become possible.

Question now becomes for us: What, then, must this sacrament of the Lord's of Supper be to us?

Barclay contends that the Supper is a means of memory. It is the memorial of Jesus. It was a means to awaken the human memory which has the potential to become "forgetful" or "lethargic." Jesus offered us this action so that we can be reminded of his claim and of his sacrifice for us.

Furthermore, Barclay mentions that, in addition to a memorial, Jesus' action serves as a confrontational piece of who Jesus is in our lives, and a realization of the terrible, destructive power of sin; that it is because of sin that our personal relationship with God was broken. The activity of the Lord's Supper enables us, the participant, to realize how we have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

As the Church, we are called to repeat that dramatic and symbolic action that Jesus did that night with his disciples. But what is to be repeated? It is a fact that the Gospel doesn't give us any definitive instruction as to repetition. Barclay further states, maybe "Jesus did not intend to institute a symbolic meal." Rather, he was making a point, with his actions, that wherever bread is broken and shared, and wine poured he is in the midst of them. That Christianity is something that needs to be practiced not just in the communion tables but also in our dinner tables as well. That everytime we remember our Lord (doing something with the 'least of these') the ordinary (i.e. eating and drinking) becomes a special encounter (Sacrament) with our Lord; an experience of his presence.