And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
The Old Testament ends looking forward to something. It frankly acknowledges that it is a sort of prelude. It awaits the coming of Messiah. The New Testament is the story of his coming and, in particular, of his hidden-in-plain-view fulfillment of all that the Old Testament was longing for. Today's verse sums up what the New Testament is: a cup of his blood. It is to that impenetrable mystery that we are drawn by all the drama of the Old Testament. It is from that cup that the world has refreshed itself with life ever since.
Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.
