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Holy Week · Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper · Year C

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Lord’s Supper

April 13, 2028

The Institution of the Eucharist, Nicolas Poussin
The Institution of the Eucharist, Nicolas Poussin, 1640Musée du Louvre, Paris
Poussin sets the supper in a severe classical hall and has the apostles reclining rather than seated, which no one else was doing. One figure is already leaving down the steps.1 Corinthians 11 is Paul handing on what he received about this night, and this is the night.Nicolas PoussinA French painter who lived almost entirely in Rome, building his compositions from wax figures in a box, and became the model of classical order.Musée du Louvre, ParisA royal palace turned public museum by the Revolution in 1793, on the principle that what the king had owned now belonged to everyone.Musée du Louvre, Paris
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 13:1-15Jn 13:1-15
Second Reading1 Cor. 11:23-261 Cor 11:23-26
First ReadingExod. 12:1-8, 11-14Ex 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial PsalmPs. 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16)Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 (cf. 1 Cor 10:16)Alt. Psalmcf. 1 Corinthians 10:16cf. 1 Cor 10:16

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

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26Commentary on 1 Cor 11:23-26 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the words of institution, the RCL Maundy Thursday second reading.

1 Corinthians 11 Commentary: The Lord's Supper1 Cor 11 Commentary: The Lord's Supper Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on Paul handing on what he received about the Lord's Supper.

1 Corinthians 11 Commentary1 Cor 11 Commentary Precept Austin

Extensive gathered notes and word studies on 1 Corinthians 11.

1 Corinthians 11:23 Commentaries1 Cor 11:23 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on Paul receiving and delivering the tradition of the Supper.

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of the earliest account of the institution of the Eucharist.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 11:23 Interlinear1 Cor 11:23 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word study of the words of institution.

Book of 1 Corinthians Summary (Overview Video)Book of 1 Cor Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject

Animated overview of 1 Corinthians and its concern for the unity of the body at the table.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 11 - Catena Bible & Commentaries1 Cor 11 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the tradition of the Lord's Supper and worthy reception.

Questions preachers ask

What does Paul hand on about the Lord's Supper?

Paul passes on the words of institution received from the Lord: the bread that is his body and the cup that is the new covenant in his blood, proclaimed until he comes.

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