A New Covenant

On Holy and Great Thursday, the Church commemorates the establishment of the Eucharist, the New Covenant between God and His People. As we approach the final days of our journey to Pascha, it is a good reminder that the Passion of Christ, His Crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection is NOT an act of obedience to His Father. Rather, it is a new covenant, and if new then not bound by the old.

Many Christians talk about covenants and sacrifices, but few talk about Communion with God. Many talk about the forgiveness of sins, but few talk about eternal union with God in a physical, albeit mystical, way. All week we have been singing, “Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night.” Today, the Bridegroom offers Himself for us in Holy Communion. Are we going to accept God’s offer of a new covenant and Holy Communion, or will we betray Him as Judas? In the Eucharist, our sins are not only forgiven, but the remission of sins is offered by God’s promise. In the next few days we will relive the last moments of Christ’s earthly ministry. In His death, burial and resurrection, He has granted life to all, and the Eucharist is a covenant to remind us His promise. I pray you will go to Church this morning and receive His Holy Body and Precious Blood for the remission of sins. It’s what all the past few weeks has been about.

 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26.26-28)