Opening Prayer:
+Lord, open our lips. And we shall praise your holy name.
We celebrate the memorial of your Death and Resurrection, Lord, and we offer you the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation. We give thanks that you have held us worthy to stand in your presence and minister to you.
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. We do this at each Mass, in memory of You.
Reading:
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles.
He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
Jesus, you told the apostles that you eagerly desired to eat the Passover meal with them before your suffering, and we know that you eagerly desire for us to join you at the Eucharistic table as well. We thank you for inviting us to join you and others at the Supper of the Lamb.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, we celebrate the Mass in memory of You. We remember your sacrifice on the Cross and we praise you for this new and eternal covenant as we pray:
Our Father...
Lord, bless us, keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life through the Eucharist, your new and eternal covenant. Amen.+
Song:
