Saints LightWhat Happened at the Last Supper?
At the Last Supper Jesus changed bread and wine into His own Body and Blood and asked His Apostles to do this in His memory: this is the gift of the Eucharist.
On the night before He died, Jesus shared a special meal with His twelve Apostles. It was the Passover, when God's people remembered how He had freed them from Egypt. We call this meal the Last Supper (CCC 610).
First Jesus did something surprising. He knelt down and washed His friends' feet, the job of a servant. He wanted them to understand that loving means serving (CCC 1337).
Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said: This is my body, which is given for you. He took the cup of wine and said it was His blood, poured out for them. Jesus did not mean a reminder or a picture. He meant it: the bread and wine became His real Body and Blood (CCC 1374, 1376).
Jesus told the Apostles: Do this in memory of me. That night He made them the first priests, so His gift could continue (CCC 611). At every Mass the priest says Jesus' words, and by the power of the Holy Spirit the bread and wine become Jesus. They still look and taste like bread and wine, but they are truly Jesus. We call this gift the Eucharist, which means thanksgiving.
Why would Jesus give Himself as food? Because food becomes part of us and keeps us alive. Jesus wants to be that close to you, to live in you and make you strong in His love.
Key points
- At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us the Eucharist.
- The bread and wine become Jesus' real Body and Blood.
- Jesus made the Apostles priests so His gift would continue.
The Word of God
He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 610-611
- CCC 1337
- CCC 1374
- CCC 1376
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
At Mass this Sunday, watch closely when the priest lifts up the Host and then the chalice, and quietly say in your heart: My Lord and my God. At home, help serve your family at one meal, the way Jesus served His friends.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What did Jesus give us at the Last Supper?
- The Eucharist, His Body and Blood
- A new set of rules
- A golden cup to keep
- A map to heaven
Show the answer
The Eucharist, His Body and Blood. Jesus took bread and wine and said: This is my body, this is my blood.
2. After the priest says Jesus' words at Mass, what is on the altar?
- Still just bread and wine
- Only a picture of Jesus
- Truly Jesus' Body and Blood, though it still looks like bread and wine
- A special snack for good children
Show the answer
Truly Jesus' Body and Blood, though it still looks like bread and wine. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine truly become Jesus.
3. What did Jesus teach by washing feet?
- That feet must be clean before dinner
- That loving means serving others
- That the Apostles were messy
- That only servants should help
Show the answer
That loving means serving others. Jesus, the Lord, served His friends to show that love serves.
Words to know
- Eucharist
- The Body and Blood of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. The word means thanksgiving.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know that at the Last Supper Jesus gave us the Eucharist, His real Body and Blood, and will look at the altar at Mass with new wonder.
Opener. Ask: "What is the most special meal your family has? Who is there, and what makes it special?" Then: "Jesus had a very special meal with His friends the night before He died."
Discussion questions
- How do you think the Apostles felt when Jesus washed their feet? [Surprised, maybe embarrassed. Peter even tried to stop Him.]
- Is the Eucharist a picture of Jesus or really Jesus? [Really Jesus. It still looks like bread and wine, but it is His Body and Blood.]
- Why did Jesus choose bread and wine, food and drink? [Food becomes part of us. Jesus wants to be that close.]
- How can we show respect for Jesus in the Eucharist? [Genuflecting, being quiet in church, paying attention at the consecration.]
Activity. Serving like Jesus: the leader pours water over each child's hands into a basin and dries them with a towel while the group says the memory verse. Then children make a "Do this in memory of me" placemat: they draw the table, the bread, the cup and the twelve Apostles around Jesus, to use at home for a family meal.
Closing prayer. Jesus, living bread from heaven, thank You for giving us Yourself in the Eucharist. Help us love You at Mass and serve others the way You served Your friends. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, special meal opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, hand washing and placemats 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- Is the Eucharist Really Jesus? (The Sacraments)
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