Daily Lenten Reflections

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Holy Thursday

Reflection

The Triduum begins today with the evening celebration of the Last Supper, and the readings for this special Mass are replete with rituals and powerful sensory observations. In April of last year, I had the opportunity to join Rabbi Glazier and his students for a Seder Supper held on campus in celebration of Passover; Professor Glazier carefully explained each aspect of this special meal as we gathered together in an upper room in Alliot Hall. The first reading for today from the Book of Exodus helps to explain the origin of the Seder Supper’s most significant symbols and rituals, emphasizing the special preparation of the meal itself before celebrants gathered to share it. The first reading tells us that Israelite families in Egypt prepared (and shared) a year-old lamb “without blemish” for this meal, eating “its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” Each participant at this gathering was dressed and ready, “staff in hand,” and eating “like those who are in flight” in anticipation of the Passover of the Lord. The responsorial Psalm for today introduces yet another powerful symbol from Jewish tradition: the Blessing Cup as part of an ancient custom that is incorporated into our modern day celebration of the Eucharist. The refrain of the responsorial Psalm commemorates the way that Jesus renews this symbol of sharing and unity (the blessing-cup), in the sacrifice of the Mass: “Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.” Just as the first Passover meal in Exodus was “a memorial feast” which all generations to come “shall celebrate as a perpetual institution,” so do we as Christians commemorate the way that Jesus perpetually offers Himself to us at each celebration of the Eucharist. As Saint Paul reminds us in the second reading, “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me always to be fully present at the celebration of the Mass, remembering that the special rituals of the Eucharist help to deepen my understanding of Your extraordinary sacrifice.

Joan Wry, Honors Program Director and Professor of English

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

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Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”