Thoughts to live by: Thursday of the Lord's Supper

Maundy Thursday, 17 April

Liturgy of the Word Ex. 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps. 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Jn. 13:1-15.

Some Notes on Holy Thursday --

1. The Rites of Holy Thursday begin in the morning with the Chrism Mass. For pastoral reasons, the Mass may be transferred to an earlier day of Holy Week. The Chrism Mass is an expression of the fullness of the Bishop's priesthood. The priests of the diocese renew their priestly commitment before the Bishop. During the Mass, the Bishop consecrates the Chrism for the anointing of the newly baptized. He also blesses the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens.

2. The Easter Triduum begins with the Mass in "Coena Domini," the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The early Church celebrated Easter in its entirety solely during the Easter Vigil that lasted until Easter morning. Only in the 4th century was this celebration gradually distributed over three days as a Triduum.

3. In accord with Jewish law and customs, Jesus celebrates the Feast of the Passover with his disciples in remembrance of the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Within the setting of this meal, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb, using words and gestures that mark the institution of the Eucharist, the sacrament of salvation, and the institution of the ministerial priesthood. The words of Jesus, "Do this in memory of me," refer not only to the "repetition" of the deeds and words of the Eucharistic institution, but are an indication to "do this" in service, in mutual love, beginning with the least.

4. 1st Reading, Ex. 12:1-8, 11-14 -- The Passover Ritual is Prescribed. For the 1st Passover in Egypt, the Lord gives a new calendar to Moses and Aaron. "This month will stand at the head of your calendar; you will reckon it as the 1st month of the year" (vv. 1-2; the month of Abib that was later known by the Babylonian name of Nisan, cf. Neh. 2:1; Est. 3:7). "On the 10th of this month, every family must procure a one year old male lamb without any blemish. It may be either sheep or goat (vv. 3-4).

5. On the 14th day, with the whole community assembled, the lamb shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight [the beginning and the end of the Jewish day]. Apply some of the blood to the two door posts and the lintel of the house. Its meat, shall be roasted and consumed that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Eat your meal, in a hurry, with your loins girt, sandals on your feet, staff on hand (vv. 6-8; 11-13). "It is the Lord's Passover" (v. 11).

6. Resp. Ps. 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 -- "How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord" (vv. 12-13). "Lord, I am your servant... you have loosed my bonds.... I will offer a sacrifice of praise... and pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people" (vv. 15-18).

7. 2nd Reading, 1 Cor. 11: 23-26 -- Tradition of the institution of the Eucharist. I handed to you what I have received from the Lord: "that the Lord, on the night before he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me'" (vv. 23-24). "In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me" (v. 25).

8. St. Paul wrote his 1st Letter to the Corinthians in Ephesus in 57 AD and, therefore, 1 Cor. 11:23-26 is the earliest narrative of the institution of the Holy Eucharist. St. Mark's narrative, written ca. 70 AD, would be the 2nd. Paul emphasizes two key ideas: Jesus sacrificial self-giving expressed in the words over the bread and cup; and the double command to repeat his own action.

9. Gospel, Jn. 13:1-15 -- The Washing of the Disciples' Feet. "Before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father" (v. 1). For the Synoptics, the Last Supper was a Passover meal. For John, it was the day before the Passover.

"He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end" (v. 1). "Fully aware that the Father has put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God," Jesus rose from supper, "took off his outer garments, took a towel, and tied it around his waist" (vv. 2-4). With water in a basin, he began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel.

10. But Simon Peter objected, "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" (vv. 5-9). Jesus said that Peter needed only to have his feet washed. "You are clean, but not all," referring to the betrayer (vv. 10-11).

11. "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If, therefore, the master and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.... As I have done for you, you should also do" (vv. 12-15). The washing of the feet, the lowliest work of a servant, expresses Jesus' utter humility and servanthood in loving and serving others. He exemplifies servant leadership and provides a new model for power and authority. He came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt. 20:28).

12. Prayer -- O God, you have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity. Grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life, through Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen, (Collect of Holy Thursday, modified).

Prayers, best wishes, God bless!