REFLECTIONS TODAY
LUKE 22:14—23:56
... When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” ...
The Eucharist: The gift of love
Love naturally goes out to benefit others. Self-giving is its highest expression — when we can let go of even our life for another person, as Jesus declares in the Gospel of John (15:13). This goes against our natural tendency to protect ourselves, to defend the life that is given to us. At the Last Supper, Jesus left a legacy of perpetual self-giving even when he would no longer be in this world. And his self-giving would be perpetuated in the celebration of the meal that he commands to be celebrated in his memory. His body is given to us and his blood poured out, signifying the new covenant.
The Eucharist then always keeps fresh the self-giving of Jesus and our being joined to him in a new covenant. Through the Eucharist we are nourished by and joined to Jesus ever more intimately. Do we realize what receiving Jesus in Holy Communion regularly does for us? It unites us to Jesus who is life himself.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
LUKE 22:14—23:56
... When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” ...
The Eucharist: The gift of love
Love naturally goes out to benefit others. Self-giving is its highest expression — when we can let go of even our life for another person, as Jesus declares in the Gospel of John (15:13). This goes against our natural tendency to protect ourselves, to defend the life that is given to us. At the Last Supper, Jesus left a legacy of perpetual self-giving even when he would no longer be in this world. And his self-giving would be perpetuated in the celebration of the meal that he commands to be celebrated in his memory. His body is given to us and his blood poured out, signifying the new covenant.
The Eucharist then always keeps fresh the self-giving of Jesus and our being joined to him in a new covenant. Through the Eucharist we are nourished by and joined to Jesus ever more intimately. Do we realize what receiving Jesus in Holy Communion regularly does for us? It unites us to Jesus who is life himself.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.