Luminous Mystery—Institution of the Eucharist [10 of 20]
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Institution of the Eucharist (Cell 35), by Italian painter Fra Angelico, c. 1395-1455. |
ifth Luminous Mystery—Institution of the Eucharist. And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you."... And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood" (Lk 22:19-20).
In this reflection, we focus on Mary as “Woman of the Eucharist” which St Pope John Paul II talks about in Chapter Six of his Encyclical Letter “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” (EE).
EE 53. If we wish to rediscover in all its richness the profound relationship between the Church and the Eucharist, we cannot neglect Mary, Mother, and model of the Church. In my Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, I pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as our teacher in contemplating Christ's face, and among the mysteries of light, I included the institution of the Eucharist. Mary can guide us towards this most holy sacrament because she herself has a profound relationship with it.
At first glance, the Gospel is silent on this subject. The account of the institution of the Eucharist on the night of Holy Thursday makes no mention of Mary. Yet we know that she was present among the Apostles who prayed “with one accord” (cf Acts 1:14) in the first community which gathered after the Ascension in expectation of Pentecost. Certainly, Mary must have been present at the Eucharistic celebrations of the first generation of Christians, who were devoted to “the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42).
But in addition to her sharing in the Eucharistic banquet, an indirect picture of Mary's relationship with the Eucharist can be had, beginning with her interior disposition. Mary is a “woman of the Eucharist” in her whole life. The Church, which looks to Mary as a model, is also called to imitate her in her relationship with this most holy mystery.
Additional Material:
A Reflection On The Eucharist by Mother M Assumpta Long OP
Fr JM Manzano SJ
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