Today is Sunday 2 June, the feast of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, beginning the 9th week of Ordinary Time. The Cape Town Camerata sings Ukuthula; Peace in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings. Redemption in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings. Ukuthula kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukuthula Usindiso kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ usindiso Ukubonga kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukubonga Ukukholwa kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukukholwa Ukunqoba kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukunqoba Induduzo kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ induduzo Peace in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings peace Redemption in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings redemption Praise (gratefulness) in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings praise (gratefulness) Faith in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Victory in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Comfort in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. More than half of today’s reading is spent telling of the preparations for the last Supper of Jesus, a Passover Meal. Any memorable meal is likely to take more time in preparation than in the eating. Think back to any really pleasantly memorable meal you have experienced. What made it joyful? Imagine you are one of the disciples at that last meal with Jesus and he hands you a piece of bread which he says ‘this is my body’ and a cup of wine which he says ‘this is my blood’. How do you feel about this? As you listen again to this reading, and to the words of Jesus, be aware of how you feel, of the effect his words have on you. What do you want of Jesus? – his body and blood, his very self and spirit? Take time to speak to Jesus now, as one friend speaks to another. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.