“Friend, why have you come?” So Jesus asked Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he arrived with Temple guards to arrest Jesus. This is the same Jesus, and the same Judas, who dined together during what has long been known as “the Last Supper.” At that sacred meal, Jesus gave his disciples the Eucharist in view of his coming crucifixion, and instructed them to “do this in memory of me.” How soon did Judas forget? Indeed, was he really present at the Last Supper—the Passover meal? In body he was present; but his mind and heart were elsewhere—on betraying Jesus to the religious authorities. Hence, in St. John’s Gospel, after sharing in the memorial meal with Judas, Jesus said to him, “What you must do, do quickly.” As we read in St. John’s Gospel, Judas gets up from the meal and walks out. “And it was night,” as the evangelist solemnly declares. Night indeed for one who is in the process of betraying Jesus to death.
The Mystical Supper, the Banquet of Life, has become for Judas a sign that his own fate is sealed. And so is Christ’s: “This is the my body, for you….This is the cup of my blood, for you.” Such are the LORD’s words as reported by Paul and St. Luke. (Note: the evangelists Mark and Matthew report different words, with the same meaning). In each case reporting Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, in effect he tells his disciples, “My death is for you.” What do you think that Christ is telling you in the Eucharist? What do you see and hear? Why do you come down the aisle? To receive a piece of bread-like substance and perhaps a sip of wine? If so, why? “Friend, why have you come?” Are you perhaps going through the motions, just doing a routine, sharing in a ritual for reasons not clear in your mind? What is it you are receiving? Are you communing with Christ, or just rather unconsciously present with your own vague thoughts, and not knowing what you are doing, and why? What does Christ’s death have to do with your life? And what is the significance of that bread-like wafer and the wine?
“I’m not sure why I am doing this.” If not, why not? “But I have always done this, all of my life—or ever since my first holy communion, when I was a young child. It is just something you do, like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes. You just do it. Automatically. Don’t you understand?” Maybe I understand, maybe not. Do you understand why you are here? Do you long for communion, or merely show up and do what others are doing? What could routine and fairly innocuous ritual possibly have to do with your life? Which engages your mind more, coming to communion or watching a basketball game? Why? It may be instructive and beneficial to consider the question.
