TASTE

READING  HEBREWS 2:9b-11

We  see  Jesus crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, that through God's gracious will he might taste death for the sake of all men. Indeed, it was fitting that when bringing many sons to glory God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make their leader in the work of salvation perfect through ­suffering.

REFLECTION

The word from this short reading from Hebrews that hit me was the word, “Taste.”

Taste ----   T   A   S   T   E ---- Taste.

We just heard  from this New Testament reading called “Hebrews” that Jesus tasted death for the sake of all.

People who have tasted death - know the taste. People who have tasted death often change.

Today is Holy Thursday…. Tonight we celebrate the Passover Meal - that meal that Jesus celebrated on the night before he died. It was his Last Supper.

It was to be the Meal we Christians have celebrated millions and millions and millions of times ever since in memory of him.

It’s called “The Mass”. The Mass is the Passover Meal. 

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

That night Jesus tasted bread. He took it - broke it - and passed  the broken bread out to his disciples saying, “Taste, take and eat - this is my body.”

That night Jesus  tasted wine. He took it and passed it out to his disciples saying, “Taste, take  and drink - this is my blood.”

Do this in memory of me.

That night Jesus tasted not just the future - but he also tasted the past. Jesus was tasting memories. Jesus tasted the Pascal Lamb, the bitter herbs, the bread, the wine.

Jesus tasted history in the Passover Meal which his people had celebrated for centuries - in memory of  the story -  of their redemption, their salvation, in becoming a people.

Jesus tasted the story of his people eating unleavened bread in Egypt - they were in a rush - and then rushed to freedom from slavery that night different from all other nights. It was their baptism - going through the waters of their baptism - into freedom. 

That night Jesus also tasted the future. Jesus tasted fears about his apostles, his key followers - who would he called to do so much in memory of him. He could taste and hear Peter’s denials. He could taste and fear Judas’ betrayal. He could taste the tears in his eyes that these men would run from him tonight in the Garden.

This Holy Thursday taste the past and taste the future.

Taste and chew on what Jesus was about: serving - washing feet - going the extra mile - stopping on roads to feel who is tugging at the edge of our sleeve - to hear who wants our time our skills and our love.

Taste Jesus’ total Holy Communion with his Father when he could escape to be in prayer with his Father for at least an hour in the mountains - or a garden -  in the night - in his inner room in secret.

Taste Jesus total Holy Communion with those who screamed out for him for healing.

Taste interruptions.

Life is often about interruptions.

They cross us up every time.

Sometimes we have to eat quickly - do what we have to do quickly - even if what we do is unleavened - not finished enough - not good enough - and we feel like broken bread and quickly sipped wine.

It’s life 101.

Holy Thursday is here. It passes over us over and over again - year after year - after year.

We get a good taste of it today - and every day we are at Mass - and every time we wash feet -  and every time get out onto the street for another day of life.

This reflection was just a taste of one word - “TASTE” -  from one small section of the New Testament document called “Hebrews”.  It gives us a tiny taste of what the whole book is about - the Mass - the Eucharist - the mystery and history of Passover Meal.

This reflection for Holy Thursday gave us a taste of some of things Jesus was feeling that day - that Holy Week - that Horrible Week.

Jesus is telling us expect betrayals and denials - expect people who can’t stay with us for an hour - expect night - expect rejections and not being understood at times - expect the cross.

But above all expect Resurrection.

Expect Easter - expect forgiveness - expect full nets - with fresh catches of fish. Expect new mornings with the taste of breakfast with Jesus on our breath. Amen.