1ST READING. EX 12: 1-8,11-14. PSALM 116. 2ND READING. 1 COR 11: 23-26. GOSPEL. JN 13:1-15
THEME: THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST & PRIESTHOOD
INTRODUCTION
The Church, today, begins Sacred Tridium. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, with Vigil Mass of Easter. There are two major celebrations today. The first is Chrism Mass which the Bishop celebrates with his Priests and some lay faithful. In this Mass, the priests renew their commitment to the priesthood and obedience to the Bishop. It is also during this Mass that the Holy Oil of Catechumen, of the Sick and Chrism is blessed and consecrated. But the reflection here is based on the evening Mass. It is called, Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
During this Mass, the Church commemorates the Mysteries of the Eucharist of the Priesthood and the Service of Charity.
The first reading gives us the law of the Passover feast. This is the Passover of the Old Covenant. In the second reading, the apostle Paul tells us about the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. “Brethren, I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”(I Cor 11:23-24).
In the Gospel, we see a continuation of what happened in the second reading. The Evangelist tells us, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from Supper, laid aside his garments, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and wipe them with a towel that was tied around him. (Jn 13:3-5).
In these readings, three major events took place. The gift of the Eucharist, the gift of Priesthood and the Service of Charity.
Through the Sacrament of the Eucharist the Church commemorates her Passover, and keeps alive the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. The Lord feeds the Church with his body and blood. It is a sacrament of communion. A sacrament of initiation. Through the Sacrament of the Priesthood, the Church carries out her service to God and humanity. Through these Sacraments, the spiritual life of the Church is renewed, strengthened, and fulfilled. The Lord has given us himself in the Eucharist as food for the journey, grace and strength for the journey of life. With the washing of the feet of his disciples, the Lord shows us the path we are to follow. The Lord, teaches us through these Sacraments and the service of charity, the way home. He gave us himself, that we might give ourselves to others. He gave us the Priesthood that we may be renewed and sustained for eternal life. He washed the feet of his disciples that we might wash the feet of our fellow men and women. Today’s celebration is too great for us to exhaust the significance here.
Every time, we come for Mass, let us remember, Jesus gave us himself as a gift of love. He loves us so much that he gave us himself, the Priesthood, the Church and other Sacraments. Let us love Jesus. Love should begets Love. Let us appreciate our Priests today. Let us love our Priests and pray for them. It is a day, the Church celebrates the gift of Priesthood. Put a call to your priest today and wish him happy feast day. Above all, offer Mass and Rosary for your Priests, that the Lord will sustain them. May the Lord bless and uphold our Priests. Amen. Wishing you all a wonderful Sacred Tridium.
With lots of prayers and love.
