Holy Thursday April 21, 2011

Read It:
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
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.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later.”
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
Simon Peter said to him,
“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus said to him,
“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all.”
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”


Reflect on It: There is a song that sticks with me on Holy Thursday where one of the lines says: "Do you know what I have done for you? You who call me your teacher and your friend. So I have done, so you must do". It is one of those songs that is almost haunting. Before the apostles sat down for the Last Supper, Christ, who is going to be crucified the next day washes the feet of his disciples. In this we see that it is humility that brings us to the Lord. To have your feet washed is one of the most humbling experiences one could have. The Lord of the universe stooped and washed the apostles' feet. The symbolism is incredible. Holy Thursday is the beginning of the Easter Triduum. On Holy Thursday, we celebrate three things: The institution of The priesthood, the institution of the Eucharist and we receive the commandment to love one another. We see this commandment to love one another being played out in the washing of the feet and then Christ calls us to do the same. Who in your life needs you to wash their feet?


Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, today begins your passion. Help me to enter into your suffering today.

Live It! Challenge: Attend Holy Thursday Mass and see if you hear about the priesthood, Eucharist and the new commandment. Where do you see each of these in the mass? It is chock full of even more symbolism than normal. If you go to St. James mass is 7:30 pm. You can sit with me if you would like to :).