The Last Supper Of Christ And His Apostles...

What happened at the Last Supper?

Does the Last Supper continue today, or did it "end" after that Supper was finished?

Is there a connection between the Last Supper and what happens at a Catholic Mass?

As for what happened at the Last Supper as recorded in the Bible, we can figure out at least a few things from the Scripture verses that give us a good idea... Here are some key passages...

St. Luke 22: 19-22..  We read:

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁰ Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

²¹ But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table.

²² And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

(We know that Judas is the betrayer sitting at the table.)

But let's take a look at St. Luke's account, and figure out just what is going on here...

First, Christ is telling His Apostles that the bread He blesses actually becomes His body!  And to DO THIS; do when?  At the Last Supper?  Yes.  After the Last Supper, and all the suppers after that, down through the ages.  He also blesses the wine and He states that the wine is now His blood!   

In this account, we have just witnessed Transubstantiation!  I think this needs repeating: Our Lord just changed the bread and wine into His body and blood right before the eyes of the Twelve!  Did they completely understand that, at that time?  Perhaps not, but they would later on, as they themselves changed bread and wine into their Master's body and blood through the power given to them as priests (and bishops), and fed the faithful with the Holy Eucharist...

Second, Does the Last Supper continue today, or did it "end" after that Supper was finished?  Basically, we just answered that question; see the above explanation.

Thirdly, is there a connection between the Last Supper and what happens at a Catholic Mass?

Yes, and that's the whole reason for the Traditional Latin Catholic Mass: to offer to God the Father, His Son's body and blood in sacrifice, as did Christ, Himself, who offered His body and blood to His Apostles for their strength and perseverance in what they would eventually face through persecution.  But not only that, but for the continuation of the one sacrifice of Calvary.  It is important to note, that we Catholics don't "kill" Christ again -- as He died once for all -- but the priest offers the SAME sacrifice as on Calvary, but in an un-bloody manner...

There are many other Bible verses to explain the Last Supper and the significance of the Eucharist; here are a few more...

St. John 6: 53-58... 

⁵³ Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

⁵⁴ Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

⁵⁵ For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

⁵⁶ He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

⁵⁷ As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

⁵⁸ This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

If one claims the Bible as their rule of faith, then can there be any question about the Eucharist, and its importance in salvation history?  What happened at the Last Supper continues at all Traditional Latin Catholic Masses every day of the year.

Briefly, let's take a look at what St. Paul tells us about Transubstantiation...

1 Corinthians 11: 23-25...

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:

²⁴ And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁵ After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.

I think it is important to read what St. Paul tells us about receiving the Eucharist unworthily in 1 Corinthians 11: 27...

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

If Catholics were guilty of receiving a piece of bread (a wafer) and drinking some wine, it would mean nothing; it would not save, but if we Catholics actually receive the body and blood of Christ, then we are on our way to eternal life, that is, if we believe what Christ tells us in the Bible as we have just quoted some pertinent verses to explain the truth about Transubstantiation -- and, consequently, the REAL PRESENCE in the Mass.

It should be pointed out that all the verses quoted here are taken from the King James version of the Protestant Bible!!

I invite all of my non-Catholic friends -- whom I love -- to come into the one ark of salvation and receive the Bread of Heaven: the Holy Eucharist, and have life in you...

Pray for our country...

Viva Cristo Rey!  Fr. Miguel Pro, pray for us..

Gene DeLalla