The Day Before He Was to Suffer

On the day before he was to suffer
for our salvation and the salvation of all —
that is, today —
He took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
and with eyes raised to heaven
to you, O God, his almighty Father,
giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread
and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

— from Eucharistic Prayer I on Maundy Thursday.

Fresco of the Last Supper by Slavko Pengov (1908–1966) in the church of St. Martin, Bled, Upper Carniola, Slovenia.  The striking resemblance of Judas to one Vladimir Lenin is not coincidental.  My thanks to M. S. for showing me this place.