Holy Thursday

Reflection

Two major celebrations occur on Holy Thursday in the Catholic Church.  In the morning, we celebrate the Chrism Mass in which the bishop concelebrates with the priests of the diocese the blessing of the sacred oils used throughout the church year and the institution of the priesthood.  In the evening, Catholics gather to celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, a commemoration of the Last Supper when Jesus shared a last meal with the apostles.  The celebration of the evening Mass reminds Catholics about two things.  First, Christians are called to wash the feet of others as did Christ, a reminder that our faith calls us to serve and not to be served.  Second, Christians are reminded that the command of Christ was to serve others in real ways by sharing what they have with those who have not.  The liturgy for the day speaks about collecting goods to be distributed to those in need as a sign of Christian commitment to the poor.

The two services speak to each other.  The sacred oils consecrated in the morning Mass speaks to the spiritual healing that priests are to carry out in their service of the church, the people of God.  The evening Mass addresses the responsibility of the church to meet the basic needs of people.  From each service, we learn what Jesus taught at the Last Supper where He humbled Himself in washing the feet of His disciples, exampling to those who followed Him how we are called to serve others in their spiritual as well as their basic human needs.

Prayer

Lord, make me a servant.  Let me bring hope to the despairing and joy to the depressed.  Where there is want and need, let my service be more than the service of my lips in meeting the real needs of those I today.  This I pray in the name of Jesus, who served us all in the giving of His life for our salvation.  Amen.

Fr. David Theroux, S.S.E. ’70, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: John 13:1-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website