Jesus Did it All for us with His Body and Blood

Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: March 28, 2024

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

Today, Holy Mother Church fondly celebrates three significant events which took place 2024 years ago. First: The institution of the Eucharist. Second: The gift of priesthood. Third: Love and Service Commandment.  

1. The Institution of the Eucharist: In the Old Testament, as a remembrance of the liberation from the shackles of Egyptian slavery, the Israelites ate the Passover meal. This pascal meal was an invitation given by God for a new life. This meal was a sign and symbol of forgoing the old self of slavery in Egypt and starting a fresh synodal journey, which called for embracing a new lifestyle in the promised land of Israel. So, each year, “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast” (Exodus 12:14). 

However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ, as a Jew, was born in this same culture and also desired to eat the same Passover meal with his beloved apostles as a farewell meal. In the Old Testament, the lamb was sacrificed for this pascal meal as we see in the book of Exodus. However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ sacrifices himself as an unblemished lamb of God on the cross tomorrow, after today’s washing of the feet of his apostles and farewell meal. Hence, the words said at the Last Supper resemble the Calvary's’ supreme sacrifice. That is the institution of the Eucharist we celebrate today. St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 11:23–26 says, "Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread and wine, gave thanks to God the Father, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Do this as often as you eat and drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1.1 Eucharist: Source and summit of the Christian life

Each one of us comes to this earth to live, but in the history of humanity, only Jesus took birth in order to die for our sake and to give us eternal life (Jn 3:16). This life that Jesus gives us in and through the Eucharist each day. This is the new gift that we celebrate on this day. He gave us his flesh in the form of a loaf of bread (Holy Communion) and wine (Holy Blood). Because of this precious gift, which makes us Christians special from all other religions, Because of this experience, the Second Vatican Council, in the dogmatic constitution of the Church Lumen Gentium No. 11, states that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1324 also reiterates the same. Nevertheless, it explains further how the Eucharist is the summit: “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” Hence, Pope Francis, addressing the US Eucharistic Congress, states, “I encourage you to continue your efforts to contribute to a revival of faith in and love for the Holy Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

1.2 Eucharist: Breaking ourselves to align with Jesus

Jesus came to this earth 2024 years ago. However, Jesus’ precious words in the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me,” continued to be uttered in every Eucharistic celebration by our Holy Mother Church. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life; hence, what is my attitude towards celebrating the Eucharist? Do I come to the Eucharist to fulfill one of the Catholic precepts? What goodness have I received through the Eucharist so far in my personal life as a religious? 

For many, coming to celebrate the Eucharist is a daily routine task and a boring thing. In the Eucharist, Jesus breaks himself and calls each one of us to break ourselves of our pride and ego and share our lives with our near and dear, to the extent to whom we don’t like. Therefore, Pope Francis states, “Indeed, the Eucharist is God's response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for an authentic life, because in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish, console, and sustain us on our journey.” 

2. The Gift of Priesthood

Jesus Christ, the new high priest of the New Testament, offered Himself as a sacrifice and bestowed upon us the Eucharist as a precious gift. Reflecting on the significance of this day, St. John Paul II emphasized that during the Last Supper, Jesus instituted both the Eucharist and the sacrament of Holy Orders, highlighting the inseparable connection between the Eucharist and priesthood. Jesus, in establishing this sacred sacrament at the Last Supper, entrusted His apostles with the mission of spreading the Kingdom of God on earth, a mission later carried on by bishops and priests in the history of the Church. 

Therefore, as we contemplate the gift of priesthood, it is essential to understand the role of a priest in the Church today. A priest is chosen by Christ, consecrated among the people of God, to serve and bridge the gap between the Church and the faithful. Priesthood is not merely a profession but a divine calling to be a servant of the Word of God and the people of God, offering spiritual healing and guidance through the sacraments. Just as a loaf of bread is meant to be broken and shared to nourish the hungry, so too is a priest called to selflessly give of himself, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people, guiding them in their journey towards God. Today, as we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ, we also pay tribute to the gift of priesthood bestowed upon the Church.

2.1: Priesthood embodiment of Christ in one's life

In today's world, priests are involved in various forms of service, including working in hospitals, to engaging in social work. One of the most fulfilling aspects of their vocation is ministering to the sick through the Holy Communion (Viaticum), making house visits, attending to the sick, and performing the anointing of the sick. However, the most significant aspect of their calling is the daily celebration of the Eucharist. Through this sacred act, priests bring God to the people and lead the people back to God. 

During the Ordination Ceremony, they are reminded to receive the offerings of the faithful to present to God, to understand the significance of their actions, to emulate the sacred mysteries they celebrate, and to shape their lives according to the example of the Lord’s Cross. Therefore, the life of a priest is far from easy, particularly in today's increasingly challenging times, which is why it is essential to pray for them, especially during the Eucharist and family rosary. It is crucial to also pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. These individuals are vital as they are the channels of God's grace and continue the mission of Christ until the end of time.

3. Love and Service Commandment

In John’s gospel, it is said "Jesus rose from supper." He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. This compassionate act profoundly surprised the disciples, as evidenced by Peter's reaction. How could they expect their master to bend down and wash their feet, a task typically reserved for servants in Jewish culture? Jesus humbly assumed the role of a servant by performing this radical act, inviting both the disciples and all of us to embrace humility, service, and love towards others. This new commandment of love is not merely a symbol to be displayed, but a principle to be actively lived out in our community as His followers. 

In today’s modern world, we can embody this commandment through kind words, warm smiles, genuine interest in others’ well-being, refraining from gossip, visiting the sick, and truly listening to them. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He didn’t focus on their outward appearances but saw the purity of their hearts. Just as He lovingly washed feet of all types – clean, dirty, worn, dark, light, tired – He is ready to cleanse our hearts, regardless of their condition. Let us examine our hearts, our inner selves, to ensure they are pleasing to God, as Jesus is always willing to purify and renew them, no matter their state. As we gather for this Eucharistic celebration, let us pray for a fervent love for the Eucharist, reverence and intercession for priests, and the grace to show love and serve others.

- Royston Pinto, SJ

March 28, 2024