Holy Thursday

The first day of the Triduum. What makes Holy Thursday so special? This is the day we celebrate Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. He knew what lay ahead in the next hours and spent this last time celebrating the Seder meal with those he loved.

At the Last Supper Jesus washed his disciple’s feet. Remember, Peter did not want Jesus to do that for him until Jesus told him in John 13:8, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Then Peter was ready for Jesus to wash not only his feet but his head and hands as well. This is such an intimate thing to do for one another, and we reenact this as well on Holy Thursday. I can say from having been the foot washer it is a beautiful experience and honor to wash the feet of others during this celebration. And it is also very humbling to be the one having their feet washed which I can also attest to from experience. So when you are at Mass on Holy Thursday and are invited to come forward for the washing of the feet remember that Jesus did this for his friends and some of them were reluctant as well so just come forward and be part of this powerful experience.

This is the time when the Eucharist was instituted. Each time Mass is said the words Jesus used that night are repeated at the consecration, from Matthew 26:26-28 “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.’…” We remember this each time we attend Mass as well as on Holy Thursday.

At the end of Mass there will be a procession. Remember we just had a procession to begin Mass on Palm Sunday with the palm branches. On this solemn night we have another procession after Mass the Blessed Sacrament is taken in procession to the tabernacle where for a few hours people are invited to stay and pray or come back and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. The night closes with prayer. And then continues the next day with the Good Friday service.

So this week as we anticipate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday try to take the time to attend Mass on Holy Thursday as the start of this wondrous, solemn and joyous time in the life of Jesus.