THURSDAY, HOLY THURSDAY
Ex 12: 1-8, 11-14 Ps 116: 12-13, 15-18 1 Cor 11: 23-26 Jn 13: 1-15
LOVE THAT BECOMES GIFT AND SERVICE
On the evening of Holy Thursday, the Church celebrates a Person who gives Himself completely through the Eucharist, in humility and love. In the Book of Exodus God instructs His people to consume the lamb quickly, as if they were on their way somewhere. This dinner is more than just a ritual; it is a demonstration of faith. Israel expresses confidence in a God who rescues. The Church’s Catechism reminds us that the Passover symbolises Christ, “the true Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.”
In the Second Reading, St. Paul passes on what he has received. The Church sees Eucharist as the centre of her life. The Second Vatican Council expresses clearly that “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.” Today, we recall that the Eucharist is more than just an object of admiration; it is someone who offers Himself. Each celebration commemorates the sacrifice of the Cross, as the Church announces the Lord’s death until He returns. The Gospel of John goes deeper. Before sacrificing His Body and Blood, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. The Lord becomes a servant. According to Pope Benedict XVI, this act reflects the essence of the Eucharist itself: “Jesus shows us that love is service, and service is love.” Without humble service, the Eucharist is incomplete in our lives. The words of Jesus are simple: “As I have done for you, you should also do.” The Eucharist invariably leads to a transformed way of life. Pope Francis constantly reminded that the Church without compassion and worship becomes an empty ritual. True Eucharistic faith pours outward, towards the poor, the wounded, and the forgotten.
Holy Thursday also highlights the gift of the ministerial priesthood, through which Christ continues to offer Himself to His people. Presbyterorum Ordinis, would say that priests are called to be like Christ ‘the Servant’ in their daily lives, particularly through Eucharistic celebration and pastoral care. Holy Thursday encourages us to accept, worship, and imitate Christ who offers His body on this altar. May this sacred celebration renew in us a faith that worships sincerely and loves concretely, that we might become the Body of Christ.
Response: The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ.
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