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Lenten Season · Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper · Year A

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Lord’s Supper

The Last Supper, Juan de Juanes
The Last Supper, Juan de Juanes, c. 1562Museo del Prado, Madrid
A Valencian altarpiece where the host is held up at the centre and the apostles' names are written in their haloes, so it functions as a diagram as well as a scene.For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you: Paul's account of this night is the oldest written one there is.Juan de JuanesThe leading painter of Renaissance Valencia, whose devotional images were so admired locally that he was spoken of as having painted from vision.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid

Overview & Insights

“Do this in remembrance of me… For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

The danger of an amalgamation between pagan and Christian worship loomed in the Corinthian setting. After pointing out how clothing (veiling) blurred what should have been a clear distinction between pagan and Christian worship practices (11:2–16), Paul now turns to the issue of the Lord’s Supper itself. The very rooms in homes that used to host pagan worship in the setting of a private dinner were now the space for Christian worship, including the Christian meal called the Lord’s Supper (see the “Additional Insights” following this unit). A mere change of liturgy, prayers, and readings is insufficient—Christian worship requires a form that expresses the content of Christ’s gospel. Interpretive Insight 11:17 In the following directives I have no praise for you. Striking a sterner tone, Paul contrasts his commendation in 11:2 with the opposite statement here.

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Commentary

Background & Word Study

The Church Fathers

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