When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?" He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" He replied, "You have said so."
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
"Drink from it, all of you..." all of you. including the one who sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver. including the one who would deny Him three times before the cock crowed. including all who scattered when their Lord was lifted up.
i know there are communities who feel that the Eucharist is a holy moment reserved for only those of their community, who have proved themselves faithful, who take this sacrament seriously. but how can you deny that Christ Himself offered His body and blood to His betrayer? could it not be, just like it was in the garden, that He knew the path that lie ahead, but still had hope that the cup would be removed, that Judas would offer up his heart instead of a kiss? is that not the hope we all live in as we step forward to take these elements that point us to Christ's sacrifice we celebrate this week?
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