Model, Strength and How to Follow

Greetings on this the Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18.; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

Summary

Model to Follow

So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13:12-15).

Strength to Follow

Brothers and sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

How to Follow

This is how you are to eat it:
with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand,
you shall eat like those who are in flight.
It is the Passover of the LORD.(Ex 12:11).

Reflection

This Mass is the beginning of the Holy Triduum of the Lord. Commemorating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In our sacred readings and in our actions today we follow Jesus specifically prescribed by Jesus (and his later Apostle Paul).

• A model to follow for all who are followers of the Master and Teacher – welcome and sanctify the people.
• A strength to follow with the reception of the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist (sacred bread).
• A way to follow – with urgency, anointing and agency: Girt, Sandals and Staff.

Personal Reflection

Lord, today a particular gift for your deacons. Because of health issues it is highly likely the deacons will perform the washing of the feet today. It is a great honor. Earlier in the week I left this prayer in the Sacristy and now know why I printed it for the Church. To reassure our priests in all things they are respected and all our subordinate actions flow from the charism of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Lord, today I will not insist on my role.
But I will not abandon it either.
Receive what is given,
and what is withheld.

Lord, tonight, is our night to follow you unreservedly. Bless the work of our hands.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040226-Supper.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry