Dining with Jesus

At the table with Jesus tonight,

my eyes were opened

to the wondrous insight

of his extravagant love for me and my Sisters.

After all the thoughtful preparations

for our last meal together,

we all reclined with satisfaction

as we waited to share

Holy Communion with our Teacher

who would dare
to show us how to serve forever.

My intent was just

to be a “Mary” figure at Jesus’ feet

absorbing his Words of

Light, Life, and Mystery sweet.

But it wasn’t long

before I started pondering

how I could

wait on him

comfort him,

thank him

for his laying down his life for me on Calvary tomorrow.

After breaking bread together,

Jesus took a towel

and he washed OUR FEET.

He could lovingly

accomplish this generous feat

despite his betrayer

at that moment

making plans for his defeat.



Section stained glass window
Sacred Heart Monastery Chapel

Sitting back down at table,

he reminded us he is our Teacher

and that what he has just done will enable

us to carry on his mission

of love and service

for all generations.

All in silence now,

to our Savior we bow

and watch and pray and suppose

the meaning of Gethsemane’s repose.

In silence tomorrow

we ponder Jesus’ great love for us

and resolve that we

“will lay our lives down

for the other, as Jesus did,

and count everything we do

as the privilege of participating

in the co-creation of the world.”

(Quote from The Monastery of the Heart ~ Joan Chittister)

~Sister Priscilla Cohen, OSB

4/21/2011



Section of stained glass window
Sacred Heart Monastery Chapel

"My soul is sorrowful even to death.

Remain here and keep watch with me."

Matthew 26:38