DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

FEAST OF THE EUCHARIST: 1 Co 11:23-26

Do this in remembrance of me! And that's what we do.

First of all, we remember Jesus himself, knowing that he is among us and with us. We are not remembering him as some historical figure of the past, as we do with all the important people who lived long go, but we are with him, because he is in our midst, as we gather together in his name and do what he ordered us to do. This remembrance is a celebration and an affirmation of faith, as we hear his call to follow him up to the cross and then to the resurrection, and it is at the same time a renewed commitment to be true disciples.

As we do what he ordered us to do, we become one with him, receiving life and salvation from him. Remembering Jesus, we proclaim him as the Son of the living God, the Christ and Redeemer, who offered himself in sacrifice, so that we may be reconciled. As we remember Jesus, his life and his teaching become our points of reference, and we accept to be guided by the values that oriented his life and for which he died.

Paul is very clear in teaching that whenever we share the bread and wine, that are the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we proclaim his death, celebrate his resurrection and live in eager expectancy of his coming to complete the work of salvation: "Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death." (1 Co 11:26).