The Last Supper

A woman anoints Jesus' feet with oil

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper; a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor"

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Matthew 26:6-13. 

Why is Mary remembered in Christianity? Why is it that her name has been passed down through many generations in memory? Jesus said it should be so. At that time, who would have tolerated a lowly woman pouring 300 denarii worth of aromatic oil on the feet of a bachelor and wiping it with her hair? Why did Jesus say that the name of Mary would be remembered wherever the Gospel was taught? The disciples laughed at him, Judas Iscariot protested, and everyone opposed him on this. He spoke these words because, more than his beloved disciples or countless other people, the actions of Mary in that hour set the condition of having offered all of her heart and effort.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: To Whom Do You Belong? March 16, 1958

Judas Iscariot chastised Mary... as she knelt and poured three hundred denarii worth of oil on the feet of Jesus and washed them with her hair. When Judas chastised her, Jesus defended her. Mary was not acting unreasonably because she was concerned for the heart of Jesus, who was to be killed; an aspect of God's pained and indignant heart was reflected through her. Therefore Jesus predicted that her name would remain wherever the words of the Gospel spread.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: The Father and I July 12, 1959

Judas' betrayal 

Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over Matthew 26:14-16

Jesus came as the True Parent or True Father, but Judas betrayed him. In his act of betrayal, all mankind was represented. Through him, all human beings, as the offspring of traitors, betrayed their True Parent... For 30 pieces of silver, one man banished the True Parent from this earth and completely frustrated God's providence of 4,000 years. At that moment, Satan prevailed on the earth.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: Restoration and Blessing February 2, 1969

The twelve months comprise one circle of seasons. There is always balance there, with six months up and six months down, six months left and six months right. One place is hot and the other cold. Each season reaches a peak and then changes. You cannot say you want only spring or only enjoy hot weather. Most people don't like winter, but you have to live through it. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, and at least three disciples collaborated with him; their betrayal was equivalent to the three months of winter. You must pass through winter to welcome spring. Winter is essential, because without it nothing can be prepared for the spring. 

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: Heaven and Us March 25, 1979

The Last Supper

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for your, do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:14-20 

Then to what degree should we be like Jesus? We have to reach the point where we are one with Jesus in flesh and blood. That's why he set up the condition of the sacrament: We should feel that we are actually eating Jesus' flesh and blood. We should actually feel Jesus' life and love for us more than anything else when we are eating the bread; and when drinking the wine, we should really feel that we are drinking his blood. Without such actual sense experience, salvation cannot be affected. This was Jesus' method to bring mankind out of Satan's world into God's world. Through this communion Satan is cut off and mankind is engrafted into Jesus, a communion with him resulting in one flesh, one blood, in other words: one mankind. 

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: How Can We Become One with God? January 15, 1972

What is the meaning of Jesus' words to his disciples, "You must drink my blood and eat my flesh"? Implied in those words is Jesus' earnest heart that pleads to you, "Even though I leave you, you have to become the owners of all the tasks that fall within the sphere of the dispensation and accomplish my unfulfilled wishes."

The blood that the disciples received from Jesus symbolized the spiritual aspect. The flesh symbolizes the physical aspect and also signifies the Holy Spirit... Therefore, through partaking of the flesh and blood, the communion of Jesus and the Holy Spirit established them as central figures who would head single-mindedly for God's purpose. What is more, the blood of Jesus symbolizes heaven while his flesh symbolizes the earth. Accordingly, the hope and aspirations of Jesus are so great as to fill the cosmos. Now, after having been sanctified through the Holy Spirit, your minds should be linked to the holy body of Jesus. This is a type of historical restoration. When God created Adam and Eve, he first created the body and then created the spirit. He created their physical body, and then he blew life into their nostrils. Just as the two principles are combined to create one man, similarly in the course of restoration until now, the works of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, which combine heaven and earth, are being carried on in conjunction.

When you think about this, you have to realize how important is the responsibility we bear. We insignificant apostles actually determine the fate of heaven and earth. You represent the apostles! You have been born with the holy body of Jesus, and you must manifest the power of Jesus' life as you work on behalf of God. Inspirational works of the Holy Spirit, which act on behalf of heaven, must emerge from you. When you move as one to do the will of Jesus Christ, who seeks to restore the whole world of creation, heaven will move according to the direction you move.

What did Jesus command as he was giving out his flesh and blood to the disciples? He said, "Take this and divide it among you." Since we have received the flesh and blood of Jesus, as long as we take responsibility for the problems in heaven on behalf of Jesus, then the will of God will be fulfilled. This is the wish of heaven.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: The Pledge that Must Be Fulfilled July 8, 1956

As he distributed the bread and wine, Jesus told the twelve disciples whom he loved; "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." He meant that until the sorrows of all human beings are resolved on the earth, he also cannot rest in peace. Understanding this situation, we should never cause Jesus to feel more lonely, painful, or constrained.

We should experience all these situations with our mind and body to understand the situation of Jesus, and on his behalf fight with Satan and win over him to put God's worries to rest. If we cannot become the ones who can take care of the people of this earth in Jesus' place, then we will not be able to receive Jesus who is coming to this earth in the Last Days.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: The Lord Is My Good Shepherd March 25, 1957