Scripture: Background Information
Matthew 18:20 Where two or three are gathered in my name
This promise made to the disciples by Jesus is similar to the promise of God’s continued presence “until the end of the ages” at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. It is also similar to the promise: If two or three sit together and the words of the Law [are spoken] between them, the Divine Presence [Shekinah] rests between them (m.’Abot 3:2,6; 4:11). For Matthew, the new community of the Church is to gather together to pray, study and reflect on Jesus Christ, the new Lawgiver of God’s New Israel. It is there, in the holy assembly, that we will experience the presence of God, Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit in our midst.[1]
Luke 22: 7 – 20 The Last Supper
In this text, Jesus offers his whole life as a sacrifice to God for the sake of humanity: “given for you”. For the Hebrew people, the Passover “memorial” recalled and relived the saving action of God in the lives of his Chosen People, especially through the Exodus story. On this Passover night Jesus aligns his action of self-sacrifice with the saving action of God. Symbolic of the end time or Parousia when all will be fulfilled, the holy meal also indicates that his disciples will share at the banquet table of the Lord.[2]
[1] KWL, Teaching Companion, 3a, p98
[2] KWL, Teaching Companion, 3a, p132
This promise made to the disciples by Jesus is similar to the promise of God’s continued presence “until the end of the ages” at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. It is also similar to the promise: If two or three sit together and the words of the Law [are spoken] between them, the Divine Presence [Shekinah] rests between them (m.’Abot 3:2,6; 4:11). For Matthew, the new community of the Church is to gather together to pray, study and reflect on Jesus Christ, the new Lawgiver of God’s New Israel. It is there, in the holy assembly, that we will experience the presence of God, Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit in our midst.[1]
Luke 22: 7 – 20 The Last Supper
In this text, Jesus offers his whole life as a sacrifice to God for the sake of humanity: “given for you”. For the Hebrew people, the Passover “memorial” recalled and relived the saving action of God in the lives of his Chosen People, especially through the Exodus story. On this Passover night Jesus aligns his action of self-sacrifice with the saving action of God. Symbolic of the end time or Parousia when all will be fulfilled, the holy meal also indicates that his disciples will share at the banquet table of the Lord.[2]
[1] KWL, Teaching Companion, 3a, p98
[2] KWL, Teaching Companion, 3a, p132