Course 2, Chapter 11: Public Life of our Lord — Third year

1. What did the Saviour do during the few hours before he was betrayed?

He celebrated the Passover with his disciples. About three o'clock in the afternoon he sent two of them to Jerusalem to prepare whatever was necessary for the Passover. He said to them: Behold, as you go into the city there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enterelh into. And you shall say to the matter of the house: TliC Master saith to thee — Where is the guest chamber where I may eat the pasch with my disciples? and he will show you a large dining-room furnished, and there prepare.

2. What do these words show us?

These words show us that our Lord knew the future, and was master of the heart.

3. What did the apostles do?

The apostles did as the Saviour directed them, and found all things as he had said. The Saviour arrived when the hour had come, and sat at table with his twelve apostles, to eat the paschal lamb. Then it was that he said to them: Amen, I say to you, that o"C of you is about to betray me. ... TJte Son of Man in deed goeth, as it is written of him; but wo to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed. It icere better for that man if he had not been born. The apostles thought that the Saviour was going to take possession of an earthly kingdom, and they began to dis-

pute amongst themselves who of them should hold the first places.

4. What did the Saviour do?

The Saviour had pity on their weakness, and said to them that the kingdom whither he was going, and whither they also would go, was not like the kingdoms of this earth, and that humility and purity of heart alone could conduct them thither. Then, rising from the table, he washed their feet, and said to them: You call me Master and Lord: and you say well for so I am. If /, then, being Lord and Master, hare washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given an example that as I have done to you so you do also.*

5. What followed the washing of feet?

The washing of feet was followed by the institution of the Holy Eucharist, which was to take the place of all the sacrifices of the old law.

6. How was the Holy Eucharist instituted?

Our Saviour took bread, broke it and gave it to his apostles, saying: Take and eat. This is my body which is giren for you. He then took a cup of wine, blessed it and presented it to his apostles, saying: Drink ye all of this. This is the chalice of the New Testament in my blood which shall be shed for you. lie then gave them also the power to consecrate Ins body and blood, by saying to them: Do this in cwnmernoration of me.

7. What did the Saviour say to Judas?

After the communion, the Saviour, looking at Judas, was troubled in spirit, and wishing to give him a last warning, said to him: That which thou doest, do quickly. Judas remained insensible to the warning and went out.

8. What did the Saviour do after Judas had gone out?

After Judas had gone out the Saviour gave expression to his tender affection, in the words which he addressed to his apostles. He then returned thanks

158 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

after supper, and repaired with his disciples to the mountain of Olives.