REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER HOLY THURSDAY 28TH MARCH 2024

HOMILY FOR MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (HOLY THURSDAY 28TH MARCH 2024

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps.116; 1Cor.11:23-26; John 13:1-15

“ _The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ!”_ (1Cor.10:16)

Participation is key; it is Life!

Today we commence the time of Easter Triduum. In this Mass of the Lord’s Supper, our attention is turned to three things: the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the institution of the Sacred Ministerial Priesthood and the call to Service. These threefold events are so intertwined that it was on the same day, during a meal, that Jesus instituted them all. As he instituted the Holy Eucharist as a memorial of his death, he also instituted the Priesthood that will be saddled with the prime responsibility of presiding over the Eucharistic celebration. Since, Jesus wants us to also partake in the Eucharistic banquet in memory of him, he has also given us the priesthood.

The power and responsibility to preside over the Eucharistic celebration can be mistakenly perceived as absolute. Since absolute power corrupts absolutely, Jesus immediately perfected everything when he practically reminded us (especially the priests, who were represented by the apostles) of the essence of service. The priesthood is for service; so the priest who has lost the fervor of service, has lost his identity. The power of the priest is the power to service; no one, in his right senses, becomes intoxicated with such power.

Today, in our clime, the duties of the priest has come to include vast administrative duties wherein he functions as leader. On this note, he has come to have a high social standing in the society to the extent that even non-Catholics have come to know the reverence due to a Catholic Priest. However, experience has shown that the reverence given to a Priest does not translate into a wholesome reception of his ministry. Many person respect the priest but may not approach him for the sacraments. Many persons want to be close to the priest but not for matters pertaining to salvation, for which he was ordained. The point is, there is a growing lack of participation in the reception of the ministry of the priest.

This attempt not to participate was aptly anticipated and clearly addressed in the readings of today. In the first reading, the Lord, through Moses, gave clear prescriptions on the celebration of the Passover. It was a celebration for every household, without exemption. Infact, should a household perceive that they are too small to host the celebration, they must join another household. This means that no one is to be exempt. Furthermore, the blood of the lamb without blemish must be smelt on the doorpost of every Israelite, without exemption. It is this blood on the doorpost that will wade off the angel of death. Therefore, to participate in this celebration was tantamount to clinging oneself to life; invariably, to exempt oneself amounted to treading the path that leads to death.

In the second reading, Paul recounted how the Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist with the clear instruction: Do this in remembrance of me. The Lord further called for a frequent celebration of this mystery; for as often as we eat the bread and drink the chalice, we proclaim his death until he comes again. From this we can understand active participation to mean not just being present in the Eucharistic celebration but practically taking part in the reception of the body and blood of Christ. This is actually how we will be proclaiming Jesus’ death.

To proclaim Jesus’ death is to identify with him in his passion. If we die with the Lord, we shall also rise with him. It is on this note that the Eucharist becomes our pledge of eternal salvation. To receive the body and blood of Christ as often as possible, is to adequately prepare ourselves for eternal life. It is never something reasonable for anyone to choose death, either for him/herself (suicide) or for another (euthanasia). But to keep oneself away from the Eucharistic banquet is nothing but spiritual suicide. Whatever keeps you away from Holy Communion is the worst enemy of your salvation. With all seriousness and urgency, take it away.

In the gospel reading, Jesus taught the disciples how to serve by washing their feet. For reasons that seem good, Peter wanted to exempt himself. But when the Lord explained to him the negative implication of not being washed by him, Peter demanded to be washed even beyond the feet. The point here is that there can be no good reason for not participating in the ministry of service. In washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus was giving them the capacity to serve. All of us have been given this capacity through the various gifts and opportunities we have; there is nothing that you have or are that you were not given, and you were given for service. So, the one who is not serving, is only being unappreciative and irresponsible for what he or she has received. Truly, humanity is not at its best today because man is increasingly losing the sense of service. It is ironical how we become selfish in order to be happy and satisfied with ourselves; yet the happiness and satisfaction we earnestly desire is in being selfless.

Beloved, the summary of today’s message is: do not exempt yourself. Do not exempt yourself from benefiting from the ministry of the priest, for the Lord himself serves us in the Priest. Do not exempt yourself from the reception of the body and blood of Christ, for it is the pledge of life eternal – the greatest antidote to death. Do not exempt yourself from serving others with all that you have and are, for the measure you serve is the measure of joy you will have. When we stand face-to-face with God in judgment, the Lord will only be respecting the level of our participation is these matters while on earth. Remember: no one lives or dies to himself only.