LAST SUPPER: CONTEMPLATION— THE LORD GIVES ALL…

The whole life of Jesus on earth was a giving and a self-emptying, even until the last moment when He poured forth His Precious Blood for us up to the very last drop of Blood, after  His Heart was pierced with the lance— “Blood and water gushed forth.”

The Life of Jesus is a lesson for us and teaching for us to imitate.  His Words, Actions, Silence, Gestures, Expressions, Looks— all of these are treasures for us to meditate, imitate, and incorporate in our lives.

At the Last Supper, Holy Thursday, the night before He was  crucified, while He sat at the Table in the Upper Room, Jesus  leaves for our reflection gestures that  leave us astounded because of His immense love for us… Let us take  these gestures and occurrences and meditate upon them in depth!

1. WASHING OF THE FEET.   This was a gesture left for the lowest class in society, the slaves, who would take of the sandals of the guests and  wash their feet and dry them with a towel. Jesus did this gesture to the Apostles. Lesson: humility, service, purification, and penance. These are all virtues that we must imitate in contemplating Our Lord, who said, “I have not come to be served but to serve and give my life in ransom for many.”

2. GREATEST COMMANDMENT:  LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU…  We will all be judged on the double commandment of love of God and love of neighbor.  The cross best represents this double dimension of love: the vertical, our relation with God and the horizontal, our relationship with others.  Love must also be manifested by obedience as Jesus said:  “If you love me keep my commandments.”

3. INSTITUTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST.   There at the Last Supper, Jesus gave us His greatest gift by instituting the greatest of all the Sacraments: The Holy Eucharist, withe the words:  ” Take and eat this is my Body; take and drink this is my Blood…”    May our hearts abound in thanksgiving and adoration for this sublime gift given for you and for me.” May our reception of this gift be faith-filled, frequent and fervent, until the end of our lives!

4. INSTITUTION OF PRIESTHOOD/HOLY ORDERS.   Connected with the Institution of the Eucharist, in  the context of the Last Supper, was also the Institution of Holy Orders or the Priesthood when Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.”   How we should honor the priesthood, pray for priests, support priests, encourage priests, and pray and sacrifice ourselves for future priests (vocations to the priesthood).  As the Cure of Ars stated so clearly, ” No priest, no Mass, no Mass, no Consecration, no Consesecration, no  Real Presence in the Eucharist….We are left as spiritual orphans.  In all the important moments of your spiritual life the priest has been present: Baptism, confession, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the sick, and burial—- the priest, there to accompany you on your pilgrimmage to heaven.

5.  PROPHECY OF SHEPHERD STRUCK AND SHEEP SCATTERED.   This Jesus did at the Last Supper! Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would be struck and taken and the sheep— His disciples scattered!  In moments of trial, we must pray all the more fervently and stay all the  closer to the Good Shepherd of our souls.

6. PRESUMPTION OF PETER.   Peter blurts out that the others will be dispersed, but he– Peter– would be faithful until the end!  Jesus makes the prophecy of the cock crowing and Peter denying Him three times! Peter’s falls started by presumption and pride. We should never presume that we are strong!  On the contrary, we are weakness incarnate!  St Paul says, “Be careful while you are standing, lest you fall.” Pride comes before the fall!

7. JUDAS’ BETRAYAL!   Furthermore, Jesus predicts the betrayal of Judas!  “What you have to do, do it quickly! Judas took the piece of bread and Satan entered him. He rushed out into the darkness.  When we leave Jesus— the Light of thw world— then we enter into darkness! Fulton Sheen states that the fall of Judas came about because  Judas “fell out of love for Jesus.” Our Daily Holy Hour is a certain means to keep the fire-aflame in our love for Jesus. Lord, grant me faithfulness to my Hour of Power/my Hour of loving Friendship with you!

8. FRIENDSHIP!  At the Last Supper Jesus calls His Apostles “Freinds”. Not simply servants, but truly “Friends”. This is a common teaching of Pope Benedict XVI, that all of us are called to establish and cultivate an ever deeper “Friendship” with Jesus. Friends spend time together; they share the same interests; they know each other well— they even start to imitate each other! May our “Friendship” with Jesus flourish and blossom every day!

9. I AM THE VINE AND YOU AR THE BRANCHES. (Jn. 15)  In the context of the Last Supper Jesus uses the image of the Vine and the Branches. He will cut and prune and purify so that we can produce  fruit and fruit in abundance. A true follower of Jesus is interested in what He is interested in: the salvation of souls! May our harvest be that of souls!

10. THE PARACLETE/CONSOLER: THE HOLY SPIRIT.  In the course of the Last Supper discourse— Jn 13– 17– Jesus consoles the Apostles with the words that He will not leave them as orphans, but He will send “Another”, the Paraclete or Consoler.   This is, of course, the Holy Spirit. Jesus will ascend on high but he will allow to descend the Holy Spirit and He will teach them all things! We are never alone!  “The Sweet Guest of our souls”, The Holy Spirit, will be with us always even until the end of time.  “Come Holy Spirit, come, through the Heart of Mary!

CONTEMPLATE!  Be present to see the Persons– especially Jesus— hear the Words, contemplate the gestures and derive much spiritual fruit!  May Our Lady of the Cenacle obtain for us all an abundant harvest!

THE MOST SUBLIME OF ALL GIFTS: THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST.
(Jn 6,  I Cor. 11/Mt.26:26)

Ineffable, sublime, august, ineffable, inexpressible, awesome, fathomless, beyond expression in human words— all these are pale expressions of the greatness of the “Gift of Gifts”, the Greatest of all Sacraments:  THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST!!!!   Never could any human person render sufficient thanksgiving for this sublime gift of the “Eucharist”— which actually means thanksgiving!   Striving with all of the energy of our will to grow in our faith, love and devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist, this should be the motivating drive of the life of all believing Catholics. We are all called to be “Great lovers”, passionately falling in love with Jesus whose Sacred Heart is burning for love for you and me.  How can we grow?  In many ways………………

1. BEG FOR DEEPER FAITH AND LOVE!  As Bartimeus the beggar, humbly ask the Lord to strengthen your faith in the Eucharist.

2. READ UP ON THE EUCHARIST!   Read and meditate the above Biblical passages, the Last 25 numbers of  The Diary of Saint Faustina, the fourth book in the Imitation of Christ, and Pope Benedict XVI Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Love). Knowledge of the Lord generates love!

3. SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONS.  Following the counsel of St Alphonsus Liguori and Pope Benedict VI, get in the habit of making frequent Spiritual Communions— invite the Lord into your poor abode as often as you want; he desires to enter more than you can imagine!

4. EUCHARISTIC VISIT. Visit your Friend Jesus in the Tabernacle and talk to Him. Remember the short poem:  Whenever I see a church, I stop to make a visit, so that when I die, the Lord will not say: who is it???”

5. MASS! Never miss Mass! If you have, offer prayers and even Masses of reparation for such a serious neglect! Offer prayers that many who no longer come to Mass will return!

6. DAILY MASS!  Go beyond Sunday Mass; aim at daily Mass and Holy Communion. In the Our Father, we pray, “give us this day our daily bread…”  This can be interpreted in the light of daily Holy Communion.  Aim for it!

7. PREPARATION FOR MASS!  Go beyond Holy Mass! Come early and prepare yourself for Holy Mass. Offer your own intentions, at least three: 1) For the souls in Purgatory, 2) For the conversion of sinners(especially some family member, 3) Pray for your own conversion, a personal “Heart Transplant”. By offering yourself in Mass and these intentions, the Mass will; have a much more powerful effect on you and the whole world!

8. PARTICIPATE!  In Mass be totally involved in every single detail of the Mass. Participate fully, actively and consciously. (Vat. II,  Sacrosantum Concilium). Every detail of Mass offers special graces; do not waste them!

9. REVERENCE  IN HOLY COMMUNION.  Always approach Holy Communion with the greatest reverence—  meaning hands folded, a reverential bow before receiving Holy Communion and “Amen” before receiving!  

10 MARY AND HOLY COMMUNION! Beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to give your her Immaculate Heart to receive Jesus worthily. Pope John Paul II said that Mary’s “Fiat”(consent to the angel in the Annunciation) and our “Amen” result in the same reality: receiving Jesus into our hearts!

11. THANKSGIVING! After Mass, spend time in thanksgiving. This moment of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion is the most important moment  in your life. As in receiving a friend into your home, you prolong conversation due to hospitality. Likewise, we want to practice Hospitality to the Divine Guest— Jesus– who has come into our home, our very soul!

12. HOLY HOUR!   Get into the habit of making the Holy Hour. Fulton Sheen calls it the “Hour of Power”. This will transform your life and those around you!  You become like those with whom you associate!

13.  ALL NIGHT VIGILS! Another objective, could be to encourage your Pastor to have all night vigils with the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed. Invite  “lovers of the Eucharist” to spend some time during the course of the night with the Eucharistic Lord. Time could not be spent better!

14. EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES!  Promote the organization and assistance at Eucharistic Congresses, on a local or international level. My first was in Philadelphia, 1976 and the theme was “You satisfy the hungry hearts with gift of finest wheat; come give to us O saving Lord the Bread of Finest wheat….”

15. EUCHARISTIC APOSTLE.  Bring as many people as you can to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and even more to Jesus present in Holy Mass. What greater act on earth could exist than to bring others to Jesus and that is what you are called to do! If done,  Jesus will be awaiting for you with His arms open in heaven!

Photo: Transfiguration of Jesus, 1520 is a painting by Raphael

Blessed Pope John Paul II stated that the “Transfiguration of Jesus” is the Mystery of Light par excellence! This is the fourth Luminous Mystery.   The spiritual messages for our enrichment are almost beyond limit. Let us dive into this spiritual gold-mine and grab on to some of these golden-nuggets!

1. COMPANION FOR OUR JOURNEY.  As Jesus became the companion to the Apostles— Peter, James and John— so Jesus wants to be your Companion on the highway of life until you reach your final destiny: HEAVEN!  Never travel without Jesus!

2. CONVERSATION/COLLOQUY. Talk with Him. That is the most simple definition of prayer. Whenever you want to talk to the Lord, he is ready to listen. A private audience with God Himself, a conversation with Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity is yours whenever you desire! How awesome: the closeness of Our God to us!

3. FRIENDSHIP.   Not only does Jesus yearn to enter into conversation with us, but He also wants to establish a strong, growing, and permanent “Friendship” with you. At the Last Supper He called His disciples “Friends” and  “you” are invited to enter into that Friendship. We are never alone!  Jesus your Friend is present to you at your beck and call!

4. CLIMB!   Our spiritual life entails climbing and carrying our cross!   We all have our “Good Friday”, but we must never forget that Good Friday leads to the glory of Easter Sunday. The last word is Alleluia!!!!  Which means victory over death and heaven that awaits Jesus’ Friends! As Pope John Paul II proclaimed in Harlem New York— in the midst of the slum— “We are an Easter people!!!!”

5. CROSS TO BE SHARED.  Never carry your cross on the ascent of Calvary by yourself. Rather, share the cross with Jesus. If done alone, the cross will crush you by its weight. Crosses can make us “better or bitter”.  Shared with Jesus, His yoke is easy and burden light!

6. OUR LADY OF THE WAY.  Invite Mary to accompany you.  Imagine Mary travelling to visit St Elizabeth and accompany her.   She was a living tabernacle, carrying Jesus in her womb. Travel together with Jesus and Mary.

7.  Transfigured, Jesus is in conversation with Moses, the law giver of the Old Testament and Elijah, the great prophet. Jesus is the New Law-giver and His greatest commandment is that of love of God and neighbor.  He is the greatest  TEACHER of all times; may we always sit at His feet as His humble disciples.

8. Peter blurts out: “Lord, how good it is to be here….”  Every time we are in front of the most Blessed Sacrament, like Peter our hearts should cry out:  LORD, HOW GOOD IT IS TO BE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a privilege as catholics, that we can contemplate the luminous Face of Jesus every time we are in the church in front of the Blessed  Sacrament.

9. FATHER’S VOICE: LISTEN TO HIM!   Our desire should be to earnestly and constantly to humbly listen to the voice of Jesus who speaks to us through His Word— the Bible, His Church, a sermon, the priest, one’s confessor, a popular mission, a retreat,  The Mystical Body, His Vicar, the Holy Father and through His Magisterium.   Let us strive to have our ears attuned to the voice of God in our midst.  “Speak  O Lord for your servant is listening.”

10.  CLOUD.  Symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit.  May the Holy Spirit overshadow our minds and hearts and set us on fire for the love of all that refers to the honor and glory of God and the salvation of souls.  Therefore, the Transfiguration reveals the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity, as in the Baptism of Jesus. The Person of Jesus, the voice of the Father, and the Cloud, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Let us praise the Holy Trinity with our words but especially with holy lives!  May Our Lady who is Daughter of the  Father, Mother of the Son and Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit magnify the Trinity in our lives!

HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC: JESUS CAME TO HEAL!!!! (Mk. 2: 3-12)

Wounded, scarred, paralyzed, aching and limping—- all words that describes you and me in our our spiritual state of soul!  We are all wounded because of Original Sin and also due to personal sin. Good News!  There is a “Healer” and His name is Jesus.  He is the “Wounded Healer” and by His wounds we are healed.  Let us go to the wounded healer so that will not be “Wounded wounders” but “Wounded healers” in a broken world!  Read/meditate Mk. 2:3-12 and admire Jesus’ healing presence and power!

1. I am that paralytic! Sin is a form of “moral paralysis”. From conception, birth until now my soul has leprosy and paralysis. But there is a healer!

2. THE STRETCHER-BEARERS! Call to mind how many “Stretcher-bearers” God has sent into your life to bring you to Jesus, the Healer.  Rewind the film of your life and see these providential persons (Good Samaritans) that God has put on your path, that resulted in your encountering Jesus the Healer! Give thanks!

3 PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, PERSEVERANCE,  POWER!   The place where Jesus was teaching was packed!  They did not give up! Let us learn not to give up. Remember the words of Vince Lombardi:  “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”   Jesus reiterates this saying, “By your patience you will save your souls.”

4.  CREATIVITY/INGENUITY!  Wow! Climbing up on the roof and lowering the man down on a stretcher. How admirable their perseverance, but also their creativity.  Where there is a will, there is  a way. However, to encounter Jesus no sacrifice should ever be to big!

5. PROPER ORDER OF VALUES!  Jesus first heals his sins—- “Your sins are forgiven…” In my life, my soul has infinite value. Your soul is worth more than the whole created universe…(St Thomas Aquinas) You were redeemed not with the blood of goats or calves, or silver or gold, but by the Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

6. CRITICS OF JESUS.  Jesus is criticized! Let us learn to control our tongue. Remember the words of St. James, “We should be slow to speak and quick to listen…” Read James 3— the danger of the sins of the tongue…..

7. HEALING!   Get up ! Take your mat and go home! Let us ask Jesus to heal us of our paralysis! Let us have recourse to confession which heals us of our spiritual paralysis so we can walk, run, and fly after Jesus! The Christian was made to fly high into the spiritual atmosphere of God’s love and holiness. Lord give me these wings!!!!

8. DANGERS!  What are persons, places and things that have  led me into a paralyzed state in the past? I will make a firm purpose to avoid them—- may God’s grace assist me!

9 PARALYZED HUMANITY!  Now after you have been healed, place on the “Mat”— the altar in the Church at Holy Mass, all of those you know and love who indeed are paralyzed, but they are too blind to admit it. Or simply they prefer sickness over health. With the priest. at Mass, lift these loved ones on high during the Consecration at Mass. It is the same Healing Jesus that is Present.

10. MARY, HEALTH OF THE SICK!   In Lourdes, France many miracles of healing take place every year. The miraculous waters have healed countless sick bodies. However, the most numerous healings occur  in the early evening when Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed and taken in procession. May Mary’s prayers,  “Health of the sick” come to our rescue that we will be healed by Jesus in body, mind, heart and soul.   Then we can be a Wounded Healer to heal wounded humanity in this wounder world!

PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM AND CALL  TO CONVERSION.(Mk. 1:15)

The the third Luminous Mystery is the “Proclamation of the Kingdom and call to conversion”. In the document of Pope John Paul II  THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND THE ROSARY,  in which the Holy Father introduces the new mysteries, “The Mysteries of Light”, the Holy Father also refers to this mystery as pointing to conversion through the Sacrament of Confession. In others words, true conversion will be realized especially through contact with Jesus, through Jesus the Healer in Confession. In this Sacrament Jesus indeed heals us of our spiritual infirmities and sicknesses.  Some  quick but clear suggestions to help you improve your confessions!

1. AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!!!!  Be eternally grateful for your Catholic faith that you can receive this sacrament as often as you like and receive countless graces and blessings. Lord, thank you for your healing embrace in confession! (Lk 15)

2. TRUST!  The devil fills us with fear! Jesus  encourages us to trust in Him. Pope John Paul II’s opening words were:  “Do not be afraid to open up the door to Christ.”    Jesus said to St Faustina that the greatest sinner can become the greatest saint upon one condition: TRUST!!!!

3 GO!  The devil tempts us to procrastinate, to put off until tomorrow. Prepare well and just go!!!!

4. PREPARE WELL!  Try to prepare well the night before, begging Mary and the Holy Spirit for their help.  Ninety percent (90%) of confession is done even before you enter the confessional.

5. WRITTEN!  A great help can be to simply jot down your sins! Memory failure, “Senior moments” can flare up in moments of stress or fear! Have your list written! This will make it easier for you as well as the confessor! Destroy the evidence after!

6. PSALM 51/LUKE 15.  The church strongly exhorts us to use Sacred Scripture abundantly. Before entering the Confessional prayerfully read Psalm 51, the Act of Contrition of David, after his sin with Bathsheba.  Another passage might be Lk 15 the three Parables of God’s mercy, and the greatest the Prodigal Son (Merciful Father). Scripture can dispose you to receive the Sacraments well!

7. CONFESSOR: PRAY!   Another useful hint to improve your confessions would be to pray for your confessor before you enter the confessional. Once St Faustina did not pray for her confessor and the priest did not seem to understand her. The following time she did pray for her confessor and she left the confessional filled with peace! Try it: a prayer for the confessor!

8. FREQUENT CONFESSION!  The church encourages frequent confession. Sanctifying grace is received, peace of soul, as well as “Preventive Medicine”.  Frequent confession can  avoid big falls!!!!

9. PENANCE!  As  a novice, I remember once my Novice director encouraged us to frequent confession and said that it is a good practice to do double the penance that the priest will give you! Excellent advice! It shows true generosity of heart. Ignatius would call this MAGNANIMITY. (Annotation # 5 Spiritual Exercises).

10. FAMILY CONFESSION. Bring your family once a month!  Mrs. Budnik  commented in her book:  SEEKING PEACE, TRY CONFESSION, that she noticed that the more the family drifted away from confession, the more tension in the family. After confession an aroma of peace would permeate the home.  Family peace, love and harmony, through confession. Try it!

True peace of mind, heart and soul can only come through contact with the Merciful Heart of Jesus.  “Come to me all of you who are loaded with sin…..Jesus will forgive you!