Paschal Mystery
Last Supper

What are the events of the Paschal
Mystery?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Last Supper
Jesus arrested in the Garden
Jesus’ Trial
Crucifixion and Death
Jesus’ Resurrection
Last Supper
 What is the reflection
of the Last Supper to
Jesus’ apostles?
– Sacrifice through blood
– Sacrifice within their
and our own lives, to
follow Jesus’ life
Last Supper
 In the passage of the 1
Corinthians, what was
the focus of Paul?
– Why was he upset with
the people of Corinth?
– Therefore, where does
Paul seem to stress our
relationship with Jesus?
Last Supper
 Paul was upset with
the people of Corinth
because they had a
lack of respect for the
Eucharist
– There were abusing the
sacrament and its ritual,
becoming drunk and full
from the body and
blood
Last Supper
 Therefore, Paul and the Synoptic Gospels,
focus on the reverence and respect of
Jesus’ gift
– For them, the relationship and connection to
Jesus lays in the participation and
understanding of the Eucharist and early rituals
– Through this, we become closer to God in
acting out the Last Supper, which Jesus gave
us
Last Supper
 Read Luke 22: 14-20
– In line 16, Jesus clearly states to his apostles that this will be the
last time they share a meal, but more importantly, the last time they
will be all together
– In line 19, Jesus states that the apostles and followers are to “do
this” in remembrance of Jesus
Last Supper
 What are the apostles
called “to do”?
– Why?
– Therefore, why are we
called “to do” this as well?
 We are called to
remember Jesus through
his sacrifice, the
establishment of the “new
covenant in my blood”
Last Supper
 What is the old covenant?
– The old relationship with God and the Israelites
 What is the new covenant?
– It is the creation of a new relationship with God
and through the blood and life of Jesus, it is
sealed
 Therefore, when we and the early followers, share in
the Body and Blood of Christ, we celebrate and
renew this covenant
Last Supper
 Now with this understanding and these
examples, why would this, the participation
and remembrance of the Eucharist, be so
important to early followers of Jesus?
– Because it is the last act preformed by Jesus
before his arrest
– Jesus tells the apostles that through this meal, a
new covenant is sealed, sealed through his blood
– Therefore, in our performing and participation in
this ritual, we are remembering Jesus, and more
than that, we are making Him present
Last Supper
 Now that we understand
the focus and emphasis
of the Synoptic Gospels,
we must look at the
Gospel of John
 John’s Gospel does not
focus on the institution of
the Eucharist as much,
but instead, focuses on
the role of discipleship
and service
Last Supper
 Read John: 13: 1-20
– What is the image that stands out the most to
you and why?
– Why is it significant that Jesus, the Son of God,
would be at the feet of his apostles?
 What is the message John is trying to get across to
his followers?
 John is telling his audience that the path to
follow and imitate Jesus is serving others
– It is responding to our call of discipleship and
service to others
Last Supper
 John is telling his
audience that the path to
follow and imitate Jesus
is serving others
– It is responding to our
call of discipleship and
service to others
 By Jesus washing the
apostles feet and
kneeling before them, he
is showing that no one is
above anyone
Last Supper
 Even the Son of God is at
the service of the apostles
 Therefore, the apostles are
called to do the same
– Read line 14-17
 Jesus has given the
apostles a model to follow,
stating that all are called to
serve each other
Last Supper
 In being followers of
Jesus, we are also
called to serve our
brothers and sisters
– It is through this
discipleship that we imitate
and maintain a relationship
with Jesus
– Just as Jesus was humble
and showed humility to the
apostles, we must be the
same way in our actions an
deeds
 Jesus is essentially saying
that the Master is actually
the servant
Last Supper
 However, this call of discipleship and service
is not easy to follow
– We see this in John 13: 5-10
 What is the response of Peter?
 Peter is shocked at Jesus’ actions and
doesn’t understand why He is at their feet,
washing them
– This duty was reserved for the servants of the
household
 Cleaning the feet of men, who traveled on dirt roads,
in sandals
Last Supper
 Through this, Jesus tells
Peter he cannot fully
understand Jesus’
actions, but in time he
will
– The washing of the feet is
to symbolize our call to live
an active life in the name
of Christ, but to also
cleanse the apostles of sin
in returning to a clean
relationship with God
Homework
 Please outline and explain the differences of
the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of
John, in relation to their emphasis during the
Last Supper
– With this understanding, why is it important that
we and the Church “remember” both in our
lives?