Holy Thursday (Fr. Francis)

Eucharist:

Today we thank Jesus for giving us the Eucharist and priesthood. These two sacraments are closely linked because without priesthood we would have no Eucharist. Today we remember the Passover feast of the Jewish people and the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples as we celebrate this Eucharist. Jesus is at table with the disciples, celebrating the feast of Passover. The passage of the Gospel that we have heard says a word that is precisely the center of what Jesus did for all of us: “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. (Jn. 13, 2).” Jesus loved us. Jesus loves us, always to the end. The love of Jesus for us has no limits, it is always more. He never tires of loving anyone. He loves all of us to the point of giving His life. Yes, He gives his life for all of us; He gives his life for each one of us. And each one of us can say: “He gave His life for me.” He gave his life for you, for you, for you, for me for each one, with first and last name, because His love is like that: personal. Eucharist is the food for our journey towards heaven. It’s Jesus presence among us.

Priesthood:

The highest point of priest’s ministry is celebrating the Eucharist. Priests administer the sacraments. Priests are the gifts to the faith community. What else the priests do? Well it depends on the need of the diocese, needs of the parish, and of course it depends on the gifts and talents that God gave them. As you know the Catholic priest does not marry, the Church is his spouse. It is his vocation to minister to God’s people. Priests are trained to talk to, they listen and counsel people and help in any way they can. Some priests are teachers in High school, College and seminary. Believe it or not priests are a lot like you. They tell jokes, laugh, like to have fun with their family and friends. They enjoy sports, walk, reading, etc. Priests are called to be men of prayer and bless people in the name of God. There is no limit for priest’s service. Is God calling you? Or May be one of your friend? Let us pray for all our priests. Pray for young me to pray, listen to God. To become priests.

Washing of the feet:

At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his apostles’ feet to give them an example of love and service. Its re-enactment is a reminder that all Christians are called to love and serve other. Jesus does something that the disciples did not understand: He washed their feet. In that time, it was common; it was customary because the people, when they would arrive to a house, their feet were dirty with dust from the road. There weren’t any Sampietrini [stone pavement] in that time!

And at the entrance of the house, they would wash their feet. But it was not done by the head of the household; it was done by the slaves. It was the work of slaves. And Jesus cleans our feet, the feet of the disciples, like a slave. And He says to them: “What I am doing, you do not understand now,” he says to Peter, “but you will understand later.” (Jn. 13:7).

Jesus has so much love that He made Himself a slave in order to serve us, to heal us, to clean us. And today, in this Mass, the Church wants the priest to wash the feet of 12 persons, in memory of the 12 disciples there. But in our heart, we must have the certainty, we must be sure that the Lord, when he washes our feet, He washes everything, He purifies us! He makes us feel once again His love.

In the Bible there is a sentence from the prophet Isaiah that is very beautiful. It says: “Can a mother forget her own child? Though a mother may forget her child, I will not forget you!” (Is. 49:15) That is how the love of God is for us.

And I will wash today the feet of 12 of you, but in these brothers and sisters, there are all of you. Everyone, everyone! All those who live here. You represent them, but I also have a need to be cleaned by the Lord. And for this, pray during this Mass so that the Lord may also clean my filth, so that I may become more your slave, more of a slave in the service of people, as Jesus was. Now, we will begin this part of the ceremony.

God bless us.

Fr. A. Francis HGN