Holy Thursday

Reflection

With the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Easter Triduum begins. Over the course of the next triduum or “three days,” the Church celebrates the one paschal mystery of Jesus—His suffering and death on the Cross and His resurrection. This is a reminder of the one saving mystery of faith. As a post-resurrection people, we know what is about to happen. We know what will unfold over the course of the next three days, both in the historic moment of Jesus’ death and resurrection and in our present liturgical celebrations.  None of these three days is disconnected from the other. Fr. Thomas Hopko, an Orthodox theologian, pointed to this very fact when he wrote:

“The church does not pretend, as it were, that it does not know what will happen with the crucified Jesus. It does not sorrow and mourn over the Lord as if the church itself were not the very creation which has been produced from His wounded side and from the depths of tomb. All through the services the victory of Christ is contemplated and the resurrection is proclaimed.”

During these next few days, the mystery of salvation in its fullness is celebrated. There is cause for great sadness and gratitude but also great joy. May we live this mystery of faith in our words and actions.

Prayer

By the love of Christ we have been brought together:

let us find in Him our glades and our pleasure;

may we love him and revere him, God the living,

and in love respect each other with sincere hearts.

(from the Litany at the Foot Washing)

Most Rev. Christopher Coyne, Bishop of Burlington

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