Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(Exodus 12:1-8.11-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-11)
Washing another person’s feet is a very humble task. In Jesus’ time it was not even required of
Jewish slaves! Jesus does it to impress upon
his disciples the necessity of humbly serving one another. A former high-ranking government official was
admired for serving like Jesus. When he
became president of a high-tech company, Rear Admiral Bobby Inman announced that
he would take his turn brewing coffee like the others in the office.
The first two readings this evening concern the origin of
the Eucharist. Exodus gives the roots of
the sacrament in Israel’s Passover Supper.
First Corinthians describes the Eucharist’s establishment at Jesus’ final
meal with his disciples. John’s gospel
supplies the meaning, the purpose, and the extension of that supper in the
Church.
The Eucharist signifies Jesus’ death on the cross to achieve
the forgiveness of human sin. Christians
replicate it not only by celebrating it daily or, at least, weekly. They also memorialize it by their own humble
acts of service.
