When Jesus became a human being, "He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave" (Phil 2:7). Before Jesus died for us, He washed His disciples' feet (Jn 13:5). This was the work of a slave. Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver (Mt 26:15; Zec 11:12), the price of a gored slave (Ex 21:32). Jesus died by crucifixion, the manner of death reserved for slaves. From the beginning to the end of His life on earth, He took on our enslaved human condition so we could share in His free divine nature (2 Pt 1:4). "Before the feast of Passover" (Jn 13:1), Jesus did the work of a slave so that we can celebrate forever the Passover, the feast of freedom from slavery (see Ex 12:31).
If you receive Holy Communion with faith and love at the new Passover, the Mass (see Lk 22:15), you are truly free (see Jn 8:36) from sin, death (Jn 6:54), Satan, hell, damnation, addictions, and self-hatred. On this Holy Thursday, receive Holy Communion and begin or continue a series of daily Communions which will be a perpetual (see Ex 12:14) jubilee year – endless, total, and ultimate freedom (see Lk 4:19).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I want to receive Jesus in Holy Communion every day of my life. |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread, and after He had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is My body, Which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.' " –1 Cor 11:23-24 |
| PRAISE: | "To You will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord" (Ps 116:17). "O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College