Holy Thursday (Fr. Vinner)
A NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Holy Thursday is both the day of the institution of the Holy Eucharist and our birthday as both sacramental and ministerial Priests. So, I would like to begin this brief reflection by congratulating all of us, the faithful. It is a day of rededicating ourselves to Christ’s mission. Today Christ demonstrated his humility by washing the feet of his disciples. So are invited to follow the example of Christ’s humility. Today the Church celebrates the wonderful gift of God to her and the entire world – the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the food that God has generously and providentially made available to us in order to nourish us on our spiritual journey. According to Pope Francis, “The Eucharist is not just a weekly way of celebrating our faith, but should radically affect our relationship with others, especially with those most in need.”
In the Old Testament Passover feast, each household in Israel offered a Lamb for sacrifice. On the day before the delivery of Israel from Egypt the people of Israel received an instruction to take some of the blood of the Lamb and apply to the two doorposts and lintel of every house. The blood of this sacrificial lamb saved each household from the scourge of the angel of death (Exodus 12). It is significant that the Last Supper of Jesus took place during the celebration of the Israelite Passover. Thus, the Lord’s Supper indicates that Jesus replaces the blood of the sacrificial lamb with his blood, which is poured out for the salvation of many (John 1:29, 36). The event of the Lord’s Supper also presents Jesus as the new Moses through whom God sends the Manna from heaven (Ex 16, John 6).
In addition, just as the Passover of the Old Testament was a memorial feast for the people of Israel, so is Passover of the New Testament a memorial feast for the people of the new and eternal covenant. The new Passover feast, popularly known as the Holy Eucharist (Holy Mass), is a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Unlike the old Passover that is celebrated once in a year, the new Passover (the Eucharist) is celebrated always. This is because expression of gratitude for salvation is unlimited. Jesus says: “Do this in remembrance of me… For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). As he offers this sacrifice of thanksgiving, Jesus plays the role of Melchizedek, the High Priest who offers Bread and Wine (Genesis 14:18).
Holy Thursday is also known as Maundy Thursday because during the celebration of the Last Supper Jesus gives a new mandate to his followers. ‘Maundy’ is a short form of the Latin Mandatum (Mandate) which is taken from the Gospel of John 13:34: “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” (“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you”). Jesus translated this new mandate into action when:
He rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist (Jn 13:1-15). Finally, today we must emulate the Humility of Jesus. In today’s Gospel, he chose to wash the feet of his disciples. He also feeds them not only with physical food but also, with spiritual food. This is in order to show and teach us that we must be ready to serve our brothers and sisters. Instead of struggling to be the leader and the chief at all times, let us like Jesus, aspire to be the servant of others.
Jesus is quite clear that this particular act of foot-washing is not about cleanliness but about relationship. IT IS INDEED ABOUT INTIMACY. It is the liturgical foundation of the new commandment which he then gives them: “love one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” So just how far does this kind of loving and making ourselves vulnerable stretch us? Well, Jesus’ teaching on the subject makes it pretty clear that the kind of love for which he is speaking ignores all the boundaries we human beings so imaginatively create. Political, ethnic, gender, economic, educational, age – all those lines are erased by this particular kind of divine love. Serve one another this night, knowing that as we participate in this sacred act, we are experiencing God’s love for us through another.
In this moment as we become truly present to one another, Christ becomes present with us as surely as He is in the breaking of the bread — Washing away the pain and the wounds from each of us, tenderly touching us! Let us be Christ to one another! Let us open our hearts to receive God’s love and to give Christ’s love as we participate in the rest of the service. The joy of working in the vineyard of the Lord comes mostly from serving others, rather than from being served. However, this is possible only through a humble heart prepared for service. Once again, congratulations to all the faithful of God, who love Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Let us imitate the self-giving model of Jesus who shares with us his own body and blood and who enriches us with his Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. It is by sharing our blessings – our talents, time, health and wealth – with others that we become true disciples of Christ and obey Jesus’ new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
May God Bless us.
FR. S.Vinner HGN