Resources
The Institution of the Eucharist
Scripture
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.'"
Matthew 26:26-28
"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes."
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
John 6:53-56
Meditation
At the Last Supper, on the eve of His passion, Jesus institutes the Eucharist—the sacrament that would perpetuate His presence among His followers until the end of time. Taking bread and wine, elements of the Passover meal, Jesus transforms them into His Body and Blood, establishing a new covenant between God and humanity. This self-giving act at the table anticipates His sacrifice on the cross the following day.
The Institution of the Eucharist reveals the depth of Christ's love—His desire to remain physically present to His Church and to unite Himself intimately with each believer. "This is my body... this is my blood" are words that express complete self-donation. Jesus gives Himself totally, holding nothing back. In commanding His apostles to "Do this in remembrance of me," Christ establishes the priesthood to continue this eucharistic sacrifice throughout the ages.
This mystery invites us to appreciate the tremendous gift of the Eucharist—Christ's Real Presence under the appearances of bread and wine. It challenges us to respond to this gift through regular participation in the Mass, reverent reception of Holy Communion, and lives of self-giving love that mirror Christ's total self-donation. The Eucharist is both summit and source of Christian life—the culmination of God's self-revelation and the wellspring of spiritual nourishment for our journey of faith.
The Eucharist and Our Lives
The Institution of the Eucharist continues to shape Christian life in profound ways:
- Real Presence - In the Eucharist, Christ is truly, really, and substantially present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine
- Sacrifice - Each Mass makes present the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary in an unbloody manner
- Communion - Through Holy Communion, we are united with Christ and with one another as members of His Body
- Thanksgiving - The very word "Eucharist" means thanksgiving, reminding us to live with gratitude
- Pledge of Future Glory - The Eucharist anticipates the heavenly banquet and our own resurrection
- Transformation - Regular reception of the Eucharist gradually transforms us into the image of Christ
Reflection Questions
- How does my participation in the Mass reflect my understanding of the gift of the Eucharist?
- In what ways can I prepare more intentionally to receive Christ in Holy Communion?
- How is my life a reflection of Christ's self-giving love manifested in the Eucharist?
- What obstacles prevent me from experiencing the full transformative power of the Eucharist?
- How might I deepen my appreciation for Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist?
Fruit of the Mystery
The spiritual fruits of this mystery are:
- Adoration - Reverence and worship of Christ present in the Eucharist
- Gratitude - Thanksgiving for Christ's gift of Himself
- Self-Giving Love - Imitation of Christ's total self-donation
- Unity - Communion with Christ and His Church
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, I thank you for the inexpressible gift of the Eucharist. At the Last Supper, you gave us your Body and Blood as food for our journey, revealing the depth of your love and your desire to remain with us always. Increase my faith in your Real Presence under the appearances of bread and wine. May each reception of Holy Communion transform me more completely into your likeness. Help me to recognize that the Eucharist calls me to a life of self-giving love and service to others. Grant that I may never take this sacred gift for granted, but approach the altar with reverence, gratitude, and love. May my participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice bear fruit in a life lived in communion with you and with my brothers and sisters. I adore you, Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Amen.
Art and Tradition
The Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the Eucharist, has been one of the most frequently depicted scenes in Christian art. Leonardo da Vinci's famous mural is perhaps the most recognized, but countless artists throughout history have portrayed this pivotal moment. Artistic representations typically show Jesus at table with the apostles, often with His hands extended over bread and wine, capturing the moment of institution.
The Church celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist in a special way on Holy Thursday during Holy Week. The Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates this event, often followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to an altar of repose, symbolizing Jesus' journey to the Garden of Gethsemane. The feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ), celebrated after Pentecost, provides another opportunity to honor the gift of the Eucharist through special Masses, processions, and adoration.
Eucharistic devotions beyond the Mass have developed throughout Church history, including Eucharistic adoration, Benediction, and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. These practices help believers cultivate a deeper appreciation for Christ's abiding presence in the Eucharist. Pope St. John Paul II included the Institution of the Eucharist as the fifth Luminous Mystery when he introduced this set of mysteries to the Rosary in 2002, recognizing its central importance in the life of faith.