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| Passover meal of the old covenant |
Christ
had partaken of the prescribed supper (Passover meal) with his disciples reclining on the floor
around a table, which was elevated from it little more than the distance of six
or seven fingers; for such was the custom of the Jews. But after the washing of
the feet He ordered another, higher table to be prepared. By this arrangement
He wished to put an end to the legal suppers and to the lower and figurative
law of the old covenant and establish the new Supper of the law of grace (the
New Covenant). From that time on He wished the sacred mysteries to be
performed
on the tables or altars, which are in use in the Catholic Church. The table was
covered with a very rich cloth and upon it was placed a plate or salver and a
large cup in the form of a chalice, capacious enough to hold the wine.
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| The imaginary rich cloth described above |
All this
was done in pursuance of the will of Christ our Saviour, who by his divine
power and wisdom directed all these particulars. The master of the house was
inspired to offer these rich vessels, which were made of what seemed a precious
stone like emerald.
The Apostles often used it afterwards in consecrating,
whenever the occasion permitted it. The Lord seated himself at this table with
the Apostles and some of the other disciples, and then ordered some unleavened
bread to be placed on the table and some wine to be brought, of which He took
sufficient to prepare the chalice.
Then
the Master of life spoke words of most endearing love to his Apostles, and,
though his sayings were wont to penetrate to the inmost heart at all times, yet
on this occasion they were like the flames of a great fire of charity, which
consumed the souls of his hearers. He manifested to them anew the most exalted
mysteries of his Divinity, humanity and of the works of the Redemption. He
enjoined upon them peace and charity, of which He was now to leave a pledge in
the mysteries about to be celebrated. He reminded them, that in loving one
another, they would be loved by the eternal Father with the same love in which
He was beloved. He gave them an understanding of the fulfilment of this promise
in having chosen them to found the new Church and the law of grace. He renewed
in them the light concerning the supreme dignity, excellence and prerogatives
of his most pure Virgin Mother. Among all the Apostles, Saint John was most
deeply enlightened in these mysteries on account of the office imposed upon him.
By the hands of these angels Enoch and Elijah were brought to the Cenacle from
their place of abode; for the Lord wished that these Fathers of the natural and
of the written Laws should be present at the establishment of the law of the
Gospel, and that they should participate in its mysteries.
All
these being present, awaiting full of wonder what the Author of life intended
to do, there appeared also in the hall the person of the eternal Father and of
the Holy Ghost as they had appeared at the baptism of Christ at the Jordan and
at the Transfiguration on mount Tabor.
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| Eternal Father |
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| Holy Ghost |
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| God the Father and Holy Ghost |
Although all the Apostles and disciples
felt this divine presence, yet only some of them really were favoured with a
vision of it; among these was especially Saint John the evangelist, who was
always gifted with eagle sight into the divine mysteries. The entire heaven was
transplanted to the Cenacle (upper-room) of Jerusalem; for of such great importance was the
magnificence of this work, by which the new Church was founded, the law of
grace established and eternal salvation made secure.
