SERVING JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE, AND OTHERS - 04/14/22 (Holy Thursday)

1 Corinthians 11:24-25

24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." 25 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." 

John 13:1,12-14

1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

12 When He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and resumed His place, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Holy Thursday! Today is the beginning of the Triduum, the three great celebrations of our Catholic Faith. This is the day when we commemorate the First Mass, the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The Mass is the center and summit of our faith because the Eucharist is Jesus Christ. At the same time, we also remember how Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet. There are at least three ways that Jesus Christ serves us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist which we can ponder upon. 

First, He serves us by being really and truly present in the Eucharist. When our Lord said, "This is My Body", the ordinary bread miraculously becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through His powerful words. The same words are said by the priests which make it possible for us to really see Jesus, our God. Jesus Christ knew that His disciples would not be with Him on the foot of the cross. But, out of His love, they were given a privilege to see His sacrifice by participating in the Last Supper despite their unworthiness due to their sins. Instead of feeling lazy, we should reflect on the most precious gift we can ever receive as we prepare for the Mass and be grateful for the goodness of God. He still chooses to be physically present with us, not because we deserve it but solely because of His love. At the same time, knowing this gift should lead us to show reverence to Him when we visit the Tabernacle by kneeling with our right leg and speaking to Him. It is also pleasing to Him if we visit the Adoration chapel, and even if there is no Adoration chapel, we can still adore Him through online Adoration using YouTube and other means as well. 

Second, Jesus serves us by being united to our soul in the communion. We should only partake of communion when we are in the state of grace after going to the sacrament of confession for the grave sins we committed. The communion is the most intimate union we can have with Jesus, the Lamb of God. In the Old Covenant, the lamb was not just sacrificed, but it was also physically eaten. In the same way, we partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Why? It is because Jesus desires us to be washed of our faults and venial sins. Our souls are washed if our impurities by the Precious Blood of Jesus in the sacrament. In the communion, our King enters into our bodies, which are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and establishes His Kingdom within us to be protected from evil spirits who want us to be separated from Him. He serves us by uniting us with His Body on the Cross to be offered to the Father. Because He is truly present within us, what is also pleasing to Him is when we take about 15 minutes after the communion to have an intimate conversation with Jesus in silence or simply rest in the real presence of Christ. 

Lastly, Jesus Christ serves us by making us His instruments to serve other people. It is only by His grace that we can love other people with Divine love. Jesus invited His disciples to serve others. And, this is the same calling and invitation we have. Our Lord loves us no matter how dark our past is. How about us? After participating in the Mass, do we become a more loving person to our family, friends and neighbors despite their sins against us? To imitate the merciful love of Jesus Christ is a challenge, and it is only by receiving His graces in the Sacrament that make it possible. At the same time, He is reminding us to wash the feet of other people. We do not have the capacity to wash and purify the souls of other people because only our Lord can do it. But, this may be the time for us to pray that more people will accept the gift of Eucharist and invite people we know to participate in the Holy Mass. It is through the love that comes forth from the Eucharistic Heart of Christ that we can have the hope of being in communion with Him even in heaven. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic