Apr. 18, 2019 - Holy Thursday - The Mass of the Lord's Supper
May you continue to be drawn into the mystery of our salvation as you recall, reflect, and re-live what Jesus has done for you, especially during the Triduum, the three most holy days of the church year.
On Holy Thursday we begin the liturgy which celebrates the saving events for us. Some scholars speak of the one great liturgical rite which begins with the Evening Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper and ends with the Easter Vigil. This is the Triduum (“Three days”). During the Triduum, we journey with our Master-Teacher as He celebrates His Last Supper with the Passover rites. We follow Him as He proceeds into the Garden of Gethsemane. We are witnesses to His “trial” and condemnation. We are able to watch as He carries His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, up to the hill of Golgotha (Calvary – Skull Place) where we experience His crucifixion, death, and burial. We are given the opportunity to reflect on how all of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) have announced GOD’s plan of salvation which culminates in Jesus’ resurrection. The Triduum is the re-living of mystery of salvation. Its climax will be the Easter Vigil when we recall our being baptized into this mystery and receiving new life with the Risen Lord.
I pray that you will find the time to reflect and pray during the Triduum. May you be able to make present this moment of our salvation.
May you continue to be drawn into the mystery of our salvation as you recall, reflect, and re-live what Jesus has done for you, especially during the Triduum, the three most holy days of the church year.
On Holy Thursday we begin the liturgy which celebrates the saving events for us. Some scholars speak of the one great liturgical rite which begins with the Evening Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper and ends with the Easter Vigil. This is the Triduum (“Three days”). During the Triduum, we journey with our Master-Teacher as He celebrates His Last Supper with the Passover rites. We follow Him as He proceeds into the Garden of Gethsemane. We are witnesses to His “trial” and condemnation. We are able to watch as He carries His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, up to the hill of Golgotha (Calvary – Skull Place) where we experience His crucifixion, death, and burial. We are given the opportunity to reflect on how all of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) have announced GOD’s plan of salvation which culminates in Jesus’ resurrection. The Triduum is the re-living of mystery of salvation. Its climax will be the Easter Vigil when we recall our being baptized into this mystery and receiving new life with the Risen Lord.
I pray that you will find the time to reflect and pray during the Triduum. May you be able to make present this moment of our salvation.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041819-evening.cfm
Blessed Jame Oldo: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/blessed-james-oldo/
Readings: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14; Ps 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18;
1 Cor. 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-15
In the Catholic and other mainline Christian traditions, tonight begins what is known as the Triduum (a word which means “three days”). This is the most solemn and important three days of the ecclesiastical year. These three days celebrate in solemn and dramatic fashion the Hour of Glory of Jesus – His giving of Himself, His agony, suffering and death, and His resurrection.
The Triduum begins with the evening celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The readings speak of the blood covenants which GOD established with the Chosen People. They also speak of signs of GOD’s love and total care for the Chosen People.
Our first reading from Exodus recounts the origin of the Feast of Passover. Moses tells the Israelites to set this feast at the top of the calendar, for this is the event which brought them freedom from slavery and the beginning of a new life. They are to slaughter a lamb without blemish. The blood of the lamb is to be put on the doorposts and lintels (sides of the doorway) of their homes. They are to feast on the cooked lamb and celebrate the Passover of the LORD. Yet even in their celebration, they must be ready to move on, for after the LORD has passed over their houses and the LORD has saved them from death, they are to leave their old lives of slavery and move out to journey to the Promised Land. They are to eat the meal with unleavened bread, because of their haste and because this is to be new bread, not mixed with the old leavened bread. This is the blood covenant relationship GOD is making with the Chosen People – and through the blood of the lamb, the people are freed from slavery and led by their GOD to a new life.
The psalmist in Psalm 116 questions how he can give GOD thanksgiving. He decides to take up the cup of salvation and give thanks to GOD. The blessing cup used during Passover is filled with wine at four key points in the Seder (Passover meal). As the cup is filled the fourth and last time, a special berakah (blessing) prayer is said. This is the cup of blessing during which the Hallel (“Praise”) Psalms are prayed/sung. Psalm 116 continues in praising GOD and saying that the death of one of GOD’s faithful ones is precious in GOD’s eyes. The praise offered by the Servant of GOD is His faithful service. The response for the psalm bridges the readings from Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) to Christian Scripture (New Testament): “Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.”
It is no coincidence that Jesus celebrates this feast of Passover with His followers at His last supper before his death. St. Paul reminds us of what Jesus did on the night He was handed over. While saying the berakah (prayer of praise and blessing) over the unleavened bread, Jesus gives new meaning to the bread. It is His Body which will be broken and given for all of His followers. They are to continue to break the bread and recognize the presence of the Lord Jesus when they break the bread in His memory (zikaron [Hebrew], anamnesis [Greek]). He will be there, feeding them with His very Body whenever they break the bread. St. Paul continues to speak of what Jesus did at the Seder meal of the Last Supper. At the end of the meal, as the fourth cup of wine is passed, Jesus says the berakah over the cup. He again gives new meaning to the cup. It is the cup of His Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant-relationship. Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of GOD, Whose Blood will be poured out to set the Chosen People free from the slavery to sin and give them new life through the death of the Lamb. It is by sharing in the Blood of the Lamb of GOD that the reality of this covenant relationship is manifested.
Although the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) parallel St. Paul’s account of the Last Supper and focus on Jesus giving Himself – His Body and Blood – to His disciples during the Last Supper, the Gospel of John has a different focus. St. John has already shared Jesus’ speaking about Himself as the Bread of Life and the need of His followers to eat of His Body and drink of His Blood (in chapter 6 of his Gospel). The focus of the Last Supper in St. John’s Gospel is Jesus’ giving of Himself in service. Thus many churches tonight not only celebrate communion as they receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, but they also re-enact Jesus’ act of service – the washing of the feet. A renewal of commitment of those who serve the church is also celebrated in many churches.
Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples is a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ love for His followers. Jesus rises from the supper table, and takes on the role of the servant. He lovingly washes the feet of His disciples. The dialog with Peter also shows Peter’s impetuousness. He refuses to have Jesus, his Master-Teacher, wash his feet. Jesus says it is necessary for Him to wash Peter’s feet, otherwise Peter cannot be in relationship with Him. Peter’s boldness makes him ask to be washed totally by Jesus. Jesus remarks that only the feet need to be washed if a person is already clean.
As Jesus returns to His place at the head of the table, He reflects on the action He has just done. He reminds His followers (including us) that it is right that they call Him the Master-Teacher and Lord, for that is Who He is. Yet, if the Master washes the feet of His disciples in an act of service, so then all of the disciples are called to act in similar ways of serving one another. Service is the hallmark of the disciple (disciplined learner) of the Master-Teacher.
The next four chapters in St. John’s Gospel (14-17) comprise Jesus’ final “will and testament” to His disciples. It is powerful reading, especially during the Triduum. Chapter 17 is Jesus’ prayer for His followers (including us).
Within the Catholic tradition, tonight’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper ends with a procession with Eucharistic Bread (the Body of Christ) from the church to an altar of repose. We are invited to journey along with Jesus as He leaves the Upper Room and goes out into the Garden of Olives to the place called Gethsemane (“Olive Press”). Here Jesus asks His followers to pray with Him. He particular asks His closest three (Peter, James, and John) to stay awake and pray. He goes forward and asks His Abba-Father if there is any way that He need not go through what is about to happen and that He be spared. Yet, Jesus submits to the will of His Abba and is willing to undergo whatever is necessary for our salvation. He returns to find His sleeping disciples. The question asked of the disciples can be asked of us: “Can we not spend at least a little time in prayer with our Master-Teacher-Lord?”
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever present and constantly seeking to reveal Yourself more fully to us. Through Your GOoDness, You have called us into the covenant relationship by means of the Blood of the Lamb. Instead of smearing blood on the doorpost and lintels of our home, You ask us to take within ourselves the Blood of Your Lamb so we might be fully united with Your Son (Who is Your Lamb), and through Him with You. You promise us freedom from the slavery of sin and new life if we remember, we celebrate, we believe all of what Jesus has done to bring us into closer relationship with You. Give us the strength and courage to imitate our Master and Lord in acts of loving service for others. Help us bring the GOoD News of Your loving relationship to others by our servant attitude and actions. Continue to motivate us to stay awake and pray with our Master and Lord as we reflect on all that He has done to bring us to new life with You. We thank You and praise You for allowing us to participate in, and make present, the saving events of the life of Jesus, Your Son. And it is in and through Him we make this prayer, for He is our Master and Lord, the One Who came to serve and save, our Brother and our Redeemer, Who has died and is risen, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: Wash Me, Lord by Trina T Feliciano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4T3O_AB8do
A Communion Song (based on Negro Spiritual) sung by Jack Narti:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kIMjNC1a9g
Video of the Day: Blessed James Oldo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPw707ej6wg
© rjk, 03-13-18
Blessed Jame Oldo: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/blessed-james-oldo/
Readings: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14; Ps 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18;
1 Cor. 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-15
In the Catholic and other mainline Christian traditions, tonight begins what is known as the Triduum (a word which means “three days”). This is the most solemn and important three days of the ecclesiastical year. These three days celebrate in solemn and dramatic fashion the Hour of Glory of Jesus – His giving of Himself, His agony, suffering and death, and His resurrection.
The Triduum begins with the evening celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The readings speak of the blood covenants which GOD established with the Chosen People. They also speak of signs of GOD’s love and total care for the Chosen People.
Our first reading from Exodus recounts the origin of the Feast of Passover. Moses tells the Israelites to set this feast at the top of the calendar, for this is the event which brought them freedom from slavery and the beginning of a new life. They are to slaughter a lamb without blemish. The blood of the lamb is to be put on the doorposts and lintels (sides of the doorway) of their homes. They are to feast on the cooked lamb and celebrate the Passover of the LORD. Yet even in their celebration, they must be ready to move on, for after the LORD has passed over their houses and the LORD has saved them from death, they are to leave their old lives of slavery and move out to journey to the Promised Land. They are to eat the meal with unleavened bread, because of their haste and because this is to be new bread, not mixed with the old leavened bread. This is the blood covenant relationship GOD is making with the Chosen People – and through the blood of the lamb, the people are freed from slavery and led by their GOD to a new life.
The psalmist in Psalm 116 questions how he can give GOD thanksgiving. He decides to take up the cup of salvation and give thanks to GOD. The blessing cup used during Passover is filled with wine at four key points in the Seder (Passover meal). As the cup is filled the fourth and last time, a special berakah (blessing) prayer is said. This is the cup of blessing during which the Hallel (“Praise”) Psalms are prayed/sung. Psalm 116 continues in praising GOD and saying that the death of one of GOD’s faithful ones is precious in GOD’s eyes. The praise offered by the Servant of GOD is His faithful service. The response for the psalm bridges the readings from Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) to Christian Scripture (New Testament): “Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.”
It is no coincidence that Jesus celebrates this feast of Passover with His followers at His last supper before his death. St. Paul reminds us of what Jesus did on the night He was handed over. While saying the berakah (prayer of praise and blessing) over the unleavened bread, Jesus gives new meaning to the bread. It is His Body which will be broken and given for all of His followers. They are to continue to break the bread and recognize the presence of the Lord Jesus when they break the bread in His memory (zikaron [Hebrew], anamnesis [Greek]). He will be there, feeding them with His very Body whenever they break the bread. St. Paul continues to speak of what Jesus did at the Seder meal of the Last Supper. At the end of the meal, as the fourth cup of wine is passed, Jesus says the berakah over the cup. He again gives new meaning to the cup. It is the cup of His Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant-relationship. Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of GOD, Whose Blood will be poured out to set the Chosen People free from the slavery to sin and give them new life through the death of the Lamb. It is by sharing in the Blood of the Lamb of GOD that the reality of this covenant relationship is manifested.
Although the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) parallel St. Paul’s account of the Last Supper and focus on Jesus giving Himself – His Body and Blood – to His disciples during the Last Supper, the Gospel of John has a different focus. St. John has already shared Jesus’ speaking about Himself as the Bread of Life and the need of His followers to eat of His Body and drink of His Blood (in chapter 6 of his Gospel). The focus of the Last Supper in St. John’s Gospel is Jesus’ giving of Himself in service. Thus many churches tonight not only celebrate communion as they receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, but they also re-enact Jesus’ act of service – the washing of the feet. A renewal of commitment of those who serve the church is also celebrated in many churches.
Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples is a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ love for His followers. Jesus rises from the supper table, and takes on the role of the servant. He lovingly washes the feet of His disciples. The dialog with Peter also shows Peter’s impetuousness. He refuses to have Jesus, his Master-Teacher, wash his feet. Jesus says it is necessary for Him to wash Peter’s feet, otherwise Peter cannot be in relationship with Him. Peter’s boldness makes him ask to be washed totally by Jesus. Jesus remarks that only the feet need to be washed if a person is already clean.
As Jesus returns to His place at the head of the table, He reflects on the action He has just done. He reminds His followers (including us) that it is right that they call Him the Master-Teacher and Lord, for that is Who He is. Yet, if the Master washes the feet of His disciples in an act of service, so then all of the disciples are called to act in similar ways of serving one another. Service is the hallmark of the disciple (disciplined learner) of the Master-Teacher.
The next four chapters in St. John’s Gospel (14-17) comprise Jesus’ final “will and testament” to His disciples. It is powerful reading, especially during the Triduum. Chapter 17 is Jesus’ prayer for His followers (including us).
Within the Catholic tradition, tonight’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper ends with a procession with Eucharistic Bread (the Body of Christ) from the church to an altar of repose. We are invited to journey along with Jesus as He leaves the Upper Room and goes out into the Garden of Olives to the place called Gethsemane (“Olive Press”). Here Jesus asks His followers to pray with Him. He particular asks His closest three (Peter, James, and John) to stay awake and pray. He goes forward and asks His Abba-Father if there is any way that He need not go through what is about to happen and that He be spared. Yet, Jesus submits to the will of His Abba and is willing to undergo whatever is necessary for our salvation. He returns to find His sleeping disciples. The question asked of the disciples can be asked of us: “Can we not spend at least a little time in prayer with our Master-Teacher-Lord?”
- The personal question/action for today: What does it mean to me that Jesus invites me to eat at His table and to be fed by Him? What can I do to fulfill my call to be a servant to others as my Master-Teacher has demonstrated through His acts of giving Himself to others? How can I spend more time in prayer with my Master?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever present and constantly seeking to reveal Yourself more fully to us. Through Your GOoDness, You have called us into the covenant relationship by means of the Blood of the Lamb. Instead of smearing blood on the doorpost and lintels of our home, You ask us to take within ourselves the Blood of Your Lamb so we might be fully united with Your Son (Who is Your Lamb), and through Him with You. You promise us freedom from the slavery of sin and new life if we remember, we celebrate, we believe all of what Jesus has done to bring us into closer relationship with You. Give us the strength and courage to imitate our Master and Lord in acts of loving service for others. Help us bring the GOoD News of Your loving relationship to others by our servant attitude and actions. Continue to motivate us to stay awake and pray with our Master and Lord as we reflect on all that He has done to bring us to new life with You. We thank You and praise You for allowing us to participate in, and make present, the saving events of the life of Jesus, Your Son. And it is in and through Him we make this prayer, for He is our Master and Lord, the One Who came to serve and save, our Brother and our Redeemer, Who has died and is risen, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: Wash Me, Lord by Trina T Feliciano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4T3O_AB8do
A Communion Song (based on Negro Spiritual) sung by Jack Narti:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kIMjNC1a9g
Video of the Day: Blessed James Oldo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPw707ej6wg
© rjk, 03-13-18