tuted the Blessed Sacrament. S. John says, "Before the festival day of the Pasch," and all the others agree with S. Matthew. The general opinion is that the three synoptic Evangelists use the Jewish computation of time, in which the coming day begins at sunset to-day. S. John, who wrote long after the destruction of Jerusalem, used the natural computation. There are sundry other modes of reconciling the apparent discrepancy, and our commentators give them at full length.

Jesus fulfilled all the legal ceremonies unto the very last. His own Gospel, and the full abrogation of the Ceremonial Law, were not formally published until the day of Pentecost. It must be observed, however, that several Christian rites and institutions crept in, many of which, we are candidly told, the Apostles had forgotten until after the Resurrection and later.

1On the first day. From the evening or sunset of that Thursday, March 24th, no leavened bread could remain in any house in Jerusalem for seven days. Hence the Latin church consecrates in azymes, or unleavened bread. The Greek church, on account of its opinion, consecrates in leavened bread.

2 Where ?-This is all they wanted to know, the rest was usual. 3The master. This was the name whereby Our Lord was known.

Thy house. This man is supposed to have been John Mark. This house was at their disposal. Here they met after the Crucifixion, and here the Holy Ghost descended.

The disciples.-Peter and John, according to S. Luke.

Prepared the pasch.-Some say they could kill and prepare the lamb. Others say they had to take it to the priests to have the altar sprinkled with its blood, and then cook it, and procure the wild lettuce.

Our Lord was careful in ful

filling the Old Law:

Ist. Because it was enacted by God.

2nd. Proclaimed by Moses.

3rd. Not yet abrogated or set aside.

The Passover or Pasch represents Our Lord.

Ist. The Lamb of God slain for us.

2nd. The heavenly food given us thereat for our journey to heaven.

3rd. Across the Red Sea of this vale of troubles. With enemies in pursuit.

20. Now when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.

21. And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.

22. And they, being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?

23. But he, answering, said: 'He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

24. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but 'wo to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for that man if he had not been born.

25. And Judas that betrayed. him, answering, said: 'Is it I, Rabbi? he saith to him: Thou hast said it.

Commentators are not agreed as to whether Our Lord spoke concerning the traitor before or after the institution of the Blessed Sacrament. Some say that He gave a general indication before, and the special one after. S. Matthew, of course, follows the ideas, rather than course of events, and therefore is supposed to have transposed the matter. At all events the chief thing to be considered is the delicacy of Our Lord; the horror of the eleven; and the coolness of Judas.

When Our Lord announced that one of them would betray Him, they all became alarmed. They knew that what He said must come true, and each one feared for himself. Our Lord gave a

general sign, and did not point out the traitor until that cool and callous wretch asked specially "Is it I?" "Thou hast said it," is the same as yes. Our Lord pointed out the consequence of his act, to try and convert him. Useless.

When it was evening.-The Lamb had to be prepared between three o'clock and six. At this latter hour it was consumed. The old ceremony was to eat it standing. Some said that was changed. But Our Lord may have eaten it standing, and then have sat down to the ordinary meal.

Whilst they were eating.-During the ordinary repast, in which several formal glasses of wine were drank, our Lord is supposed to have uttered verse 29, "I will not drink," after the last formal one. This is the first time Our Lord specified the rank of the traitor.

He that dippeth.-There was a dish in which people dipped the lettuce and other morsels of food in order to season them for the palate. Many dipped into the same dish. This would show them that Judas was near Him, but he was not pointed out except to John and Peter.

Wo to that man.-This was a prediction sadly verified, and it did not deter Judas.

Is it I, Rabbi ?—The rest said Lord to Him, and Judas says merely Rabbi. He is pointed out at last, and no one seems to be surprised or indignant.

27. Et accipiens calicem, 27. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks; and gave to them, saying: 'Drink ye all of

gratias egit, et dedit illis, dicens: "Bibite ex hoc omnes:

28. "Hic est enim sanguis meus novi testamenti, qui pro multis effundetur in remisionem peccatorum.

29. "Dico autem vobis, non bibam amodò de hoc genimine vitis usquè in diem illum cùm illud bibam vobiscum novum in regno Patris mei.”

30. Et, hymno dicto, exierunt in montem Oliveti.

this.

28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins.

29. And I say to you: "I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it 'new with you in the kingdom of my Father.

30. And when they had sung hymn, they went out to mount Olivet.

a

Immediately after the ordinary supper, and before the things were removed from the table, Our Lord fulfils the promise he made them a year ago (John vi.) of giving them Himself as meat and drink. The institution of the Blessed Sacrament was the last solemn act of His life. The rest was suffering and justly called passion. He was about to leave them and He bequeaths them something which they expected, Himself. He could not give more.

By the Consecration He is mystically sacrificed before the Crucifixion as He is daily upon our altars now. His words effected what they said. The substance of the bread was changed into that of His body, and of the wine into His blood just as he said so. It is added in other Evangelists-my body—which shall be delivered for you. What body is that? His real body of course. And here my blood . which shall be shed for you. real blood to be sure.

.

Which blood was shed for us? His This has always been the faith of the Catholic Church. The Reformers deny it. They deny everything good.

Whilst they were at supper.-The opinion received is that the consecration of both bread and wine took place immediately after supper before they had left the table.

2Bread.-This was wheaten bread and unleavened.

3This is My Body.-It was bread when He took it and His body as soon as the words were spoken. His words effect what they mean.

4Drink ye all of this.-Ye all means that as he could not divide the wine like the bread he wished each one to taste and none to finish until it reached the last.

"This is My Blood .

which shall be shed.-This is so clear that

one wonders how anybody could deny the Real Presence.

I will not drink.-This is supposed to have been said before the consecration. If said after it could not affect the truth; things that have been are called by their old name. It shows us that wine of the grape is the proper matter for the Sacrament.

'New. This portends the joy of Heaven.

8 Sung a hymn. In thanksgiving to God.

The Real Presence proved:

Ist. From the words of con

secration.

2nd. From the occasion.

We are not obliged to know how. But:

Ist. Like a body suspended

Who ever heard of a figurative in mid air-so are the elements, legacy?

3rd. The universal belief.

How can it be?

Ist. God can suspend His laws.

2nd. Instances can be given. Birth, Resurrection, Appearing. 3rd. He said it; ergo, he did it here.

or accidents.

2nd. Like the action of electricity so is the word of God.

3rd. God is present everywhere, yet not divided. Substance is a very subtle thing, and the greatest philosopher knows nothing about it except its properties.

31. Tunc dicit illis JESUS : "Omnes vos scandalum patiemini in me, in istâ nocte. Scriptum est enim: Percutiam pastorem, et dispergentur oves gregis.

31. Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be 'scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed.