Student Daily Reflection

[38] Isa 50:4-7
Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Phil 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
The Daily Reflections

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

When I realized I was writing a reflection for Palm Sunday, I did not know where to begin. This Sunday and these readings are a source of many of our important teachings and traditions. To preface this, by no means do I feel like I can reflect on all that this Sunday is, but instead choose to focus in on one event.

With the knowledge of his impending betrayal and death, Jesus came to the table and broke bread with his friends and followers. I think understanding and living this is crucial to our practices as a community. Up to this point in the Lenten season, we have been cleansing our hearts, minds, and bodies and this is how we come to the table, we come ready to receive. By clearing way in our hearts and souls, we are making room to receive the gift of Jesus. Now, we experience this in two ways. The first, and most obvious, way we receive Jesus is through the Eucharist. But the other way we receive Jesus in this way is through community. We were given Jesus at a table with others and that is where we continue to find Jesus. By being open to receiving another person, we are receiving Christ. We receive, partake in, and share in Jesus when we come to the table. So, as we move into this last week of Lent and into the joyous Easter season, I hope that we are open to receiving Christ through and with others.