One thing that strikes me about the Gospels is how different evangelists record different things in such surprising ways. St John places the cleansing of the temple early in the ministry of Jesus while the synoptic gospels place it towards the end. Likewise, John does not record an Institution Narrative nevertheless Chapter Six is clearly Eucharistic in its content. The synoptics place the Institution Narrative at the centre but do not record the washing of the feet as we hear of it this evening. What links these two events? I read the words of Jesus "For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (Jn 13: 15) and "Do this in remembrance of me." (Lk 22: 19) I think that both of these actions of the Lord instruct as to continue his life and work. We are not merely to remember his Passion, death and resurrection, in the sense of calling it to mind, but also to embed it in our way of life and to communicate its fruits to others. Through sacrifice and service therefore we can prolong the Incarnation and bring the presence of Christ to the world. Through cooperating with grace, we are doing what the disciples did when they were in the presence of the same Lord, and we are sustained by the same Holy Spirit. The question is though that can we be humble enough to let the Holy Spirit cleanse us and empower us which is exactly what Jesus did at the Last Supper.
No comments:
Post a Comment