Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15
The Mass for Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. We put into practice a major tenet of Jesus’ teaching in tonight’s gospel: “If I, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.” Jesus and his disciples must have dined together numerous times. This was the first time that he washed their feet. Washing the feet of guests was a matter of hospitality in this desert region. It was done by the people themselves or by servants. It would never have been done by the head of the household. Jesus took on the role of the servant and asks his followers to do the same.
In most parishes, after the homily, the priest washes the feet of some parishioners. Remember last year (2024) when Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 inmates from a women’s prison? Father Andrea Carosella, the main chaplain at the prison, said that this action "is a sign of the mercy and love of God who goes out to meet the suffering and pain of humanity."
The other readings this night are also significant. We hear the Passover story from Exodus. We think that Jesus was eating a Passover meal with his disciples as the Last Supper. Passover was celebrated to remember the story of how God saved the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites put lamb’s blood on the doors; then the angel of death passed over their houses but entered into the houses without blood and killed the first-born sons of the Egyptians. Jesus is the new Passover Lamb whose blood was shed to save us from the slavery of sin and death. Jesus is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”
The second reading tells us that it was at the Last Supper that Jesus first declared, “This is my body,” and “This is my blood,” over bread and wine that was being shared at the meal. This night, we are also celebrating the place that the Eucharist has in our lives. Eucharist, we learn on Holy Thursday, is both verb and noun…something received and something given. It is something we enter into. It is something that transforms our lives.
We do one other different thing tonight. At the end of the liturgy, the remaining Body of Christ consecrated at the Mass is gathered together in a vessel and brought to a place of honor for adoration. We process with the vessel and candles to a “place of repose.” The tabernacle is left empty. We are invited to pray before the Blessed Sacrament according to local custom.
Prepare for Mass by reading John 13:1-15. Ask yourself in what ways are you a servant of Christ? Pray about what and who you serve and who serves you. Think about the place the Eucharist holds in your life.
