Reading Scripture’s most important passage

[Michie]

It’s arguable, at least, that there is no more important passage in all of Scripture.

The Institution Narrative — the account of Jesus’ establishment of the Eucharist at the Last Supper — appears in varying forms in three of the four Gospels and one of St. Paul’s letters.

1 Corinthians 11:23-34 is unique, moreover, in all the corpus of St. Paul’s letters. It is the apostle’s only detailed narrative of an event in the life of Jesus Christ; and it includes St. Paul’s most extensive quotations of Jesus’ words.

It’s also arguable, at least, that there is no more important passage in Catholic ritual. The Institution Narrative is the essential centerpiece of the Mass — which is itself the “source and summit of Christian life,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 1324).

It’s no accident that this is so. It is design.

No ordinary meal​

Continued below.

Reading Scripture's most important passage

It's arguable, at least, that there is no more important passage in all of Scripture. The Institution Narrative -- the account of Jesus' establishment of the Eucharist at the Last Supper -- appears in varying forms in three of the four Gospels and one of St. Paul's letters.

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[Diamond72]

It’s also arguable, at least, that there is no more important passage in Catholic ritual.

It is important to know:

Canon 916: "A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case, the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the intention of confessing as soon as possible."

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.…