Today’s Collect for Mass says:
“O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love, grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
This one is pretty straightforward. It’s Holy Thursday, so the we jump straight to the point, which is that Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper and told us to celebrate Mass as the “sacrifice new for all eternity.” Since this prayer is also the beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the prayer offers a miniature synopsis of what is about to happen: Jesus hands himself over to death. Of course, the point of all of this is for us to grow in charity and life, so we conclude with asking for just that.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer
take a moment to think about Christ’s gift to us on the cross and in the Eucharist. Reflect on how beautiful it is that we get to relive that saving moment every time we celebrate Mass. Give thanks to God for this gift, ask him to help you appreciate it and bear fruit because of it. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world, so that when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to go to Mass today.