The Gospel of Mark
The Last Supper: Mk 14,12-25
Preparations for the Meal: 14,12-16
There is a notable emphasis here on the Passover as the setting for the meal. For the Jews the Passover was (an is) the meal which celebrates their Passover, their exodus from Egypt. Exodus chapter 12 reads more like instructions for the meal than as as description of an historical event.
From the Christian point of view, this meal will be a new Passover, a new Exodus.
This scene is now the first day of the feast when as the evangelist tells us the Passover lambs were being sacrificed (14,1). In John's Gospel (Jn 19,14) this is the day that the crucifixion takes place. By making the crucifixion a day ealier than Mark and the other Gospels, John is making a theological point. Jesus the Lamb of God (Jn 1,29) is sacrificed on the same day as the lambs. All the Gospels however are clear that Jesus died at Passover time (see my comments on 14,11). This takes place during the Jewish month of Nisan.
The disciples are taking the initiative when they ask about preparing the meal, but it becomes clear by verse 16 how Jesus is in control of events at this stage.
As he did with the donkey for the entrance into Jerusalem (11,1-6) so here too Jesus gives the disciples precise instructions about finding the room for the meal. The man would have stood out because water jars were normally carried by women.
In verse 14, Jesus speaks of "my guest room"; in verse 15 this is speciified as the upper room (which is the traditional name for the place of this supper).
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Announcement of Betrayal: 14,17-21
In 14,17, Jesus comes to the meal with the Twelve. John by contrast speaks only of disciples (Jn 13,5).
"Amen" in verse 18 is Jesus' usual way of making a formal announcement. Only Mark adds "one who is eating with me" (see Mt 26,21). The Twelve are seated for a formal meal, whereas the original Passover was eaten in haste, ready for flight (Ex 12,11).
Both the psalm references (Ps 41,10 or Ps 55,12-13) speak of betrayal by friends.
Thus verse 19 is so phrased as to expect a "no" answer. Whereas Jesus in verse 20 makes it clear that the betrayer will be one of the Twelve, a point unique to Mark (see Mt 26,23). Matthew has instead an exchange between Judas and Jesus (Mt 26,25). Here in Mark, we the readers were told that Judas would be the betrayer when Jesus first chose the Twelve (3,19).
A teaching from Jesus follows in verse 21. Various scripture references are possible but this may just be a general statement. For the Old Testament prophets woes were a common form of oracle. They were generally warnings, even if, as in this case, the warning was not going to be heeded. This is a formal way of bringing the announcement of betrayal to a close.
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The Lord's Gift: 14,22-25
The final episode concerning bread which took place in the boat (8,14-21) brought out Jesus' message that Jews and Gentiles formed one Church.
As in the feedings of the crowd (6,41; 8,6) so here too Jesus blesses, breaks and gives the bread. Here the bread is simply identified with the body of Jesus. The context is already that of betrayal. The deeper meaning becomes evident in the next few verses.
Blood though is a sign of life, as God tells Noah (Gen 9,4), hence the later prohibitions (Deut 12,23). The Leviticus quotation (Lev 17,11) links the blood with atonement. Speaking of "the blood of the covenant" recalls Moses sealing the covenant in Ex 2,4-8.
Bearing in mind 10,45 that the Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many, this evangelist clearly sees the redemptive significance of Jesus' death and of the meal he gave to his disciples. It is important though that we do not read into this later developments in Church teaching.
Verse 25 thus concludes this gift of bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus with a solemn saying looking beyond immediate events to the final fulfillment of the kingdom.
Jesus in Mark does not say "do this in remembrance of me" (as in Lk 22,19).
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The Sunday Gospel (Corpus Christi)
The missing middle verses in this Gospel reading, 14,17-21, speak of betrayal. If they were included, it would be a reminder that Peter and Judas were both present receiving the bread and the wine even though they were about to betray or deny Jesus.
The theme of the covenant is present in all three readings, a covenant which is sealed by a sacrifice. Thus the Corpus Christi readings for this year highlight the Mass as a sacrifice. This as the letter to the Hebrews says, is the one sacrifice of Christ celebrating the new covenant.
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