As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. —Matthew 26:26-30
“The Eucharistic event reveals the deepest human experiences, those of sadness, attentiveness, invitation, intimacy, and engagement. It summarizes the life we are called to live in the Name of God. Only when we recognize the rich network of connections between the Eucharist and our life in the world can the Eucharist and our life in the world can the Eucharist be “worldly” and our life “Eucharistic.” —Henri Nouwen
Communion shows that we can be
Through communion, we remember the
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” —Isaiah 53:3
“Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” —Matthew 26:31
“Then two criminals were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God rescue him now — if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.” —Matthew 27:38-44
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” —Matthew 27:46
Through communion, we remember the
“I will never leave you or abandon you.” —Hebrews 13:5
“The Lord is closer to us than we are to ourselves.” —St. Augustine
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will…My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done…” —Matthew 26:39, 42
Through communion, we remember the
“He said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“In you, Father all-mighty, we have our preservation and bliss. In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, brother, and Savior. In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace. You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us. You are our maker, our lover, our keeper. Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Amen.” —Julian of Norwich
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 22; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 2:10-18
Resources: “With Burning Hearts” by Henri Nouwen
Community Group Guide:
Read through the passage in two different translations.
As you heard the Scripture, what stood out to you?
Why is it so difficult to be thankful for the suffering in our lives?
What part of communion (Christ entering into our suffering, Christ’s presence, Christ’s strength) leads you most to gratitude? Why?
How has God used suffering to help you become more like Christ?
To prepare for next week: Read and meditate on Matthew 28