Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday 
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

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Gospel of John 13:1-15

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.

My favorite liturgy of the Easter Triduum is the Holy Thursday mass.  The symbolism behind the washing of the feet, the use of incense, the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and even the specially-selected hymns make the evening Mass a beautiful experience.  I don't have to worry about keeping a travel-sized pack of tissues in my purse. (No weeping until Good Friday.) The liturgy is  joyful in that we not only celebrate the institution of the Eucharist but we see Christ's intimate love for us.  He washed the feet of his disciples, one of the lowest acts of service.  This is symbolic of how He washes us and cleanses our own sins.  Moreover, he nourishes us with his body and blood - the Holy  Eucharist.  Jesus' passes along the gifts of contrition and communion knowing his life will end.  

The body and blood present at Holy Communion will forever keep us intimately bonded to The Lord providing us with the strength to carry along through life's joys and difficulties.

By washing the feet of his disciples, we are called by Jesus to serve others humbly and compassionately.  Pope Francis selected to wash the feet of twelve disabled people.  What a beautiful act of humility!  These people are examples of the marginal in society.  Many people rather lock them away in some "home" and not think about their existence.  Our Lord calls us to serve the poor, the lame, the hungry, and the alien.  Jesus died on the cross for the salvation of all souls regardless of our state in life. 

After the Holy Thursday Liturgy, my parish traditionally exposes the Blessed Sacrament for adoration until midnight.  Grand silence is put into effect.  I stayed in the sanctuary and prayed my rosary thinking of the times I didn't serve people well.  There is one person in particular that I've complained about and thought ill of for way too long.  I could faintly hear Jesus whispering to me: 

 "Let it go!  No longer be angry and resentful of this person.  See the good in him.  He does not mean you harm.  He does not have anything personal against you.  Stop thinking ill of this individual.  Pray for him.  The more you pray to your Heavenly Father  the more I will bless you with internal peace."

I hope many Catholics will participate in the Easter Triduum. Allow the Holy Spirit to flood your mind with faith, hope and love in preparation for the resurrection on Easter Sunday!

-J.