Maundy Thursday
Eucharist, Priesthood and Service
1st Reading : Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial
Psalm : Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16BC,
17-18
2nd Reading : 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel : John 13:1-15
We enter today into Easter Triduum. Today is Maundy Thursday – a day of Jesus’ Passover meal with his disciples, wherein Jesus also instituted Consecrated priesthood and gave an example of service by washing the feet of his disciples.
Today the church recollects how during the Last Supper Jesus shared with the disciples the official Passover meal where he is the self-offered Passover Victim. Today every ordained priest offers this same sacrifice, following Christ’s authority and command, in exactly the same way. The Last Supper was also Christ’s farewell meal with his assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny him before the sun rose again. But the heart of Jesus is filled with love for them which makes him address them as his own friends. He washes the feet of his disciples to explain to the disciples the meaning of service.
Eucharist:
“Take and eat it, this is my body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me.” Then He takes a cup with wine He drinks from it and gives it to His disciples saying: “Drink all of this, for this is my blood which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.” Through these words the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is instituted. Jesus desires to be with us always and therefore it is the duty of every priest to make Christ present by celebrating the Eucharist.
Priesthood:
Holy Thursday is dedicated to Priests as we remember the institution of the Priesthood by Jesus and imparts to them his mission to proclaim the kingdom. “Do this in memory of me” is the command that Jesus gave to his disciples. Jesus instituted Priesthood because He wants the Memorial of His passion and death to be relived until the end of time. And also, without the priest as the presider the offering of the Holy Eucharist is not possible. And so therefore, the two Sacraments are essentially tied together.
Service:
We must notice here that, not even slaves during that time were asked to wash another person’s feet according to most biblical scholars. The slave would bring a basin with water and a towel but it would be the guest who would wash his own feet. And Jesus, the Son of God and their Lord, does the “lower” than a slave job, He washes His disciples’ feet. Jesus purposely does the feet washing so that the act will make a lasting impression on them. Jesus concludes: “I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” In other words, humble service should characteristic of our Christian life.
May the memorial of Lord’s last supper remind us that we are all called to a humble service as Christians. We also pray for priests that may the Eucharist they celebrate may make the people a living experience of the Risen Lord.
A Prayer for Priests
(By St.
Therese of Lisieux)
O Jesus,
eternal Priest,
keep your
priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none
may touch them.
Keep unstained
their anointed hands,
which daily
touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep
unsullied their lips,
daily purpled
with your Precious Blood.
Keep pure
and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with
the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Your
holy love surround them and
shield them
from the world's contagion.
Bless their
labors with abundant fruit and
may the
souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven
their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.
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