| A rather fanciful AI-generated version of the Last Supper |
>>>For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, 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 11:23–26)
The above is from one of Paul´s epistles and is the earliest mention of the Lord´s Supper. It´s also extremely strange. Paul never met Jesus in the flesh. Yet, he says that he received the story of the Last Supper from the Lord. Not from Peter and James in Jerusalem, but from Jesus himself. There are two possibilities here. Either Paul means it figuratively. He actually received it from the original disciples. Or he means it literally. Paul saw the first mass in a vision.
The latter option is compatible with Mythicism. For why would our first mention of Holy Communion be a visionary experience by a man who never met Jesus?
OK, you're teasing us! ;-} Not to contravene your Majesty's Commanderness, but....
ReplyDeleteLuke 22: 19-20
and to a lesser degree Mark 14: 22-24 Matthew 26: 26-28
So Pauley was reprimanding the church at Corinth for their ludicrous behavior and (allegedly) referencing some texts that were already circulating among the early Christians. Mark is thought to be the earliest Gospel around 65 AD in Rome, also alleged to be a shorthand version of Peter's preaching. A very old tradition has it that as Peter is presumed illiterate (a Galilean fisherman) so Mark, acting as his interpreter, wrote it down for him. Paul is somewhere in the time frame at 40-50 AD.
In Catholic tradition the Last Supper is commemorated on Holy Thursday. What takes place in the Mass is a LARPing of the washing of the feet of the disciples. After the homily, pre-selected members of the congregation take seats in the church aisles and before the altar while the priest/pastor, surrounded by the altar servers carrying bowls of water and towels, kneels down and literally washes a foot of each participant. (John 13: 1-15) Then Mass proceeds as usual.
What interested me this year was the priest's homily wherein he highlighted the idea that Jesus washed Judas' feet also, knowing full well what was to follow, betrayal, flogging and eventual crucifixion. As having been a participant in such washing, I can say it is a humbling experience.
1 Corinthians is presumed to be an authentic Pauline letter by scholars, however who was reiterating whom, i.e gospel writers echoing Paul or vice versa, perhaps can never be known.
"In the deep darkest moments, I've been thinkin' bout this
How Jesus Chri-i-i-i-st, was betrayed by a kiss.
But I can't think it for ya, you'll have to decide,
Whether Judas Iscariot...had God On His Side."
Bob Dylan - With God On Our Side
I enjoy William Barclay's translation from the Greek texts (Collins-1968) which is almost a poetic rendering.
Was the Last Supper a Passover Seder?
Deletehttps://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/jesus-last-supper-passover-seder-meal/?mqsc=E4160128&dk=ZE4140ZF0&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDA%20Daily%20Newsletter%201-90&utm_campaign=04_01_24_OnSite_The_Via_Dolorosa
Preparing to post something similar. Still Easter holidays here in Sweden!
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