If the Eucharist that Jesus instituted was just a meal, then Calvary was just a Roman execution. But if Jesus instituted the Eucharist to be the Passover of the New Covenant, then it had to involve both sacrifice and communion, as did the Old Covenant Passover.
The words of institution show that Jesus instituted the Eucharist as the sacrifice of the New Covenant. As such, the Eucharist transformed Calvary from a Roman execution to a holy sacrifice, the consummation of his self offering that was initiated in the Eucharist.
Thus, he didn't lose his life on Good Friday, since he had already given it - in loving sacrifice - on Holy Thursday. Jesus was not the hapless victim of Roman injustice and violence, but rather the willing victim of divine love and mercy.
Finally, if Holy Thursday is what transforms Good Friday from an execution to a sacrifice, Easter Sunday is what transforms the sacrifice into a Sacrament: Christ's Body is raised in glory, so it is now communicable to the faithful.
Indeed, it is one and the same sacrifice as what he offered by instituting the Eucharist and then dying on Calvary, only now his sacred humanity is defied AND deifying, for us all. This is the high priestly sacrifice that he offers in heaven and on earth.
says:
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