THE OTHER COMMANDMENTS

Yesterday I focused attention on the "mandatum" Jesus gave on the night of his betrayal and arrest, the "new commandment" that Jesus bequeathed to his disciples and to all future generations of disciples as well. That commandment comes from the Gospel according to Saint John.

But that is not the only commandment Jesus gave on that night when he gathered with his followers for a final meal. According to the other three gospels, Jesus commanded his followers to continue sharing the meal he instituted with them that night. While the exact form of his command varies in all three accounts, there is no doubt that Jesus intended for the meal to be an ongoing observance among his disciples, as an ongoing memorial of his death.

"Take, eat . . ." "Drink this all of you . . ." "Do this for the remembrance of me," these are three forms of the command Jesus gave, and while the wording does vary from one gospel to another, it is clear that in each instance Jesus was not merely "suggesting" that they observe this meal-- he was commanding his followers to continue it.

Scholars can debate whether the reference to the meal as a "Passover Meal" is accurate, but we who follow Jesus have come to realize existentially that by sharing this meal we are able to experience again and again his presence among us and the forgiveness of our sins that he promised. We come to the table with the awareness that we do not "deserve" the invitation but grateful that he put us on that list on the day when we were baptized, and we leave the table comforted by his love and empowered by his Spirit.

Sadly, there are too many Christians who treat Jesus' command as if it were optional rather than a commandment from our Lord. Maybe that's the reason Jesus gave the command in the first place, as a clear message that we belong at his table and that we really need to be there. As long as we see the sacrament as optional, then the gospel itself is emptied of its meaning, at least for us. On the other hand, when we see it as a life-giving command given by the One who loved us to the very end, then we make every effort to be there whenever it is offered. He calls us to his supper, and we are wise to run to the table with joyful hearts.

Holy Week takes on a different meaning for all of us when we see it as a chance to return to the place where we most need to be, at the foot of Jesus' cross. That's where we find true joy and hope for the future.