First Communion Parish Preparation Center
PART 4 - The Last Supper
This part takes us back through History, almost 2000 years ago. Imagine... you are part of His Story, today!
Contact Jody in the Faith Formation Office, for more information.
PART 4 - The Last Supper
This part takes us back through History, almost 2000 years ago. Imagine... you are part of His Story, today!
Contact Jody in the Faith Formation Office, for more information.
ACTIVITY: Together, read the following.
The Last Supper was held the Thursday before Jesus died. We now refer to that Thursday as "Holy Thursday". Jesus celebrated a meal with His apostles. Meals are a time to bring people together and share food. Jesus chose a meal as the time to give us the Holy Eucharist, his own body in the form of bread, his own blood in the form of wine. Jesus shared this important meal with His apostles (friends) because He loved them so much.
In order that all people in God's family (that means YOU and ME!!) can receive this great gift of the Eucharist, Jesus gave to His Church, through His priests, the power to do exactly what He had done at the Last Supper. At every Mass, we celebrate that first Mass at the Last Supper over again using the very same words Jesus used then.
Jesus took bread and gave thanks to God. He said, "This is my body," and gave the bread to His apostles. Then, He took a cup of wine and said, "This is my blood." He gave the cup of wine to His apostles. They ate and drank the holy food. Jesus told his friends, "Do this in memory of me."
At Mass, Jesus gives priests the power to change the bread and wine into Jesus' true Body and Blood. At Communion time when the priest says, "The Body of Christ" and "The Blood of Christ", the priest is actually asking each of us... "Do you believe that this is the Body and Blood of Jesus?" When we answer "AMEN", we mean - YES! I do believe this is Jesus! At that moment our hearts are joined with Jesus.
After receiving the Eucharist, kneel and talk to Jesus silently. He wants to give you all the love you need. Remember to thank Jesus for coming to you. Quietly share a few moments with Jesus in prayer. Jesus comes to you each and every time you receive Him in the Eucharist. Every time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus helps us to be strong enough to love and to serve others. When Jesus gives us this strength, we call Him the Bread of Life. He stays with us this way because he loves us so much!
ACTIVITY: Together, read or watch the story of the Last Supper.
* The reading can be found in Matthew 26:17-30 or click on a video link below:
* The Superbook kids travel to Bible Times in this this 22-minute video at SUPERBOOK - The Last Supper (with ads)
* Sign in or register for The Superbook website: SUPERBOOK.
Take time to discuss: What do we experience at Mass, (seen, heard, and tasted) that is the same as at the Last Supper? (Words: Take this and eat, Take this and drink, Do this in memory of me; bread, wine, and Jesus is present)
ACTIVITY: Celebrate with an actual Family “Last Supper” – Try the something ‘old’ as something new! As none of us were there at the Last Supper, the following is a sampling for Christians today of some of the traditional foods that would have been eaten. Everyone is encouraged to learn more about the Seder and traditional Jewish Passover feast. Have fun family time making traditions and eating a meal together.
Side Dishes:
Last Supper meal recipes and shopping list found at: How to Prepare a Last Supper Meal.
The Last Supper was held the Thursday before Jesus died. We now refer to that Thursday as "Holy Thursday". Jesus celebrated a meal with His apostles. Meals are a time to bring people together and share food. Jesus chose a meal as the time to give us the Holy Eucharist, his own body in the form of bread, his own blood in the form of wine. Jesus shared this important meal with His apostles (friends) because He loved them so much.
In order that all people in God's family (that means YOU and ME!!) can receive this great gift of the Eucharist, Jesus gave to His Church, through His priests, the power to do exactly what He had done at the Last Supper. At every Mass, we celebrate that first Mass at the Last Supper over again using the very same words Jesus used then.
Jesus took bread and gave thanks to God. He said, "This is my body," and gave the bread to His apostles. Then, He took a cup of wine and said, "This is my blood." He gave the cup of wine to His apostles. They ate and drank the holy food. Jesus told his friends, "Do this in memory of me."
At Mass, Jesus gives priests the power to change the bread and wine into Jesus' true Body and Blood. At Communion time when the priest says, "The Body of Christ" and "The Blood of Christ", the priest is actually asking each of us... "Do you believe that this is the Body and Blood of Jesus?" When we answer "AMEN", we mean - YES! I do believe this is Jesus! At that moment our hearts are joined with Jesus.
After receiving the Eucharist, kneel and talk to Jesus silently. He wants to give you all the love you need. Remember to thank Jesus for coming to you. Quietly share a few moments with Jesus in prayer. Jesus comes to you each and every time you receive Him in the Eucharist. Every time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus helps us to be strong enough to love and to serve others. When Jesus gives us this strength, we call Him the Bread of Life. He stays with us this way because he loves us so much!
ACTIVITY: Together, read or watch the story of the Last Supper.
* The reading can be found in Matthew 26:17-30 or click on a video link below:
* The Superbook kids travel to Bible Times in this this 22-minute video at SUPERBOOK - The Last Supper (with ads)
* Sign in or register for The Superbook website: SUPERBOOK.
Take time to discuss: What do we experience at Mass, (seen, heard, and tasted) that is the same as at the Last Supper? (Words: Take this and eat, Take this and drink, Do this in memory of me; bread, wine, and Jesus is present)
ACTIVITY: Celebrate with an actual Family “Last Supper” – Try the something ‘old’ as something new! As none of us were there at the Last Supper, the following is a sampling for Christians today of some of the traditional foods that would have been eaten. Everyone is encouraged to learn more about the Seder and traditional Jewish Passover feast. Have fun family time making traditions and eating a meal together.
Side Dishes:
- Matzoh/unleavened bread: was at the Last Supper and became part of our Holy Communion. It symbolizes the bread that the Israelites ate as they fled Egypt; rushing out as they were set free, they didn’t have time to let their bread rise; therefore, it was unleavened.
- Salad of bitter herbs and romaine lettuce: these are traditionally served at a Seder meal representing the bitterness of slavery that the Israelites went through. Top with sliced figs, olives, and radishes and drizzle with a dressing of olive oil and honey.
- Salted water: represents the tears of the Israelites as they fled
- Karpas: (typically parsley) represent the freshness of spring and new life
- Try roast Lamb or baked Fish
- Red wine (use grape juice for children): This was at the Last Supper and became part of our Holy Communion.
- Haroset: a sweet dessert made of diced apples and walnuts, mixed with cinnamon and sugar, then drizzled with light honey and a sweet wine sauce. When mixed together, it looks similar to and represents the mortar that the Jews used in servitude while locked in slavery.
Last Supper meal recipes and shopping list found at: How to Prepare a Last Supper Meal.