Tuesday of Holy Week (March 26). Look forward not backward

Prepare to Listen.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
 
Prayerfully Read Mark 14:22-25
22While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’  23Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  24He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  25Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
Anything surprise or shock you in this familiar story?
 
In his final Passover, Jesus practiced its traditional elements, but not all of them.  As per tradition, he, their leader, blessed the bread and gave thanks for the cup, then shared it with his disciples.  To eat and drink what was offered meant becoming participants, fully involved with the giver both in the blessing and also in whatever else he said.  But then Jesus radically departed from tradition.  Instead of retelling the story that defined Passover’s meaning—Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian oppression—he told a new story.  The bread and wine will forever be symbolic of his body broken and his blood poured out for many.  Participating in the meal with him meant participating in his suffering and death.  When the disciples ate and drank what Jesus blessed and gave, they were effectively saying, “Yes, we’re with you, even in your sufferings.”
 
But sadly, they weren’t.  They still hoped Jesus would conquer Rome and liberate them from oppression.  They stubbornly refused to accept his warnings about his suffering and death, and their betrayal. Thus, Jesus concluded the meal with a disturbing warning, “Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”  He looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven.  Their ancient story had been redefined and Jesus commanded them to now look forward rather than backward.  In Communion we look back on what Jesus did so that we can look forward in hope of the newness he brings.

What do you look forward to?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, sometimes I’d rather dwell on what’s behind than looking forward in hope to your freeing grace.  Grant me grace and mercy to persevere to the end.  Amen.

Live obediently.  Look forward in hope, not backwards in despair.