Thursday of Holy Week

April 9, 2020

Thursday of Holy Week

Holy Thursday

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

April 9, 2020

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry

 

Book of Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116

Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 11:12-26

John 13:1-5

 

Our Gospel passage from Saint John for this Holy Thursday makes reference to “our inheritance.”  Peter is protesting Jesus’ attempt to wash His feet.  Jesus replies, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”  Scripture scholars have dissected this passage through the centuries and have suggested at least two meanings of “inheritance.”   One meaning is eternal life and the other meaning humble service to others, something that all of the followers of Jesus are called to imitate.

Imitate Jesus, how?  The simple answer is through love, prayer and service.  Just as our Lord taught and demonstrated during His public ministry.  It is easy to love most of the people in our lives – at least most of the time!  However, following Jesus, we are even called to love our enemies. 

Everyone of us have a longing for love and intimacy.  On occasion we find ourselves empty.  We are always tempted to fill our emptiness through unhealthy and even immoral living.  Through the power of prayer we invite God into our lives, especially into the emptiness of our lives. 

Sisters and brothers our lives can be such a paradox.  We crave love and attention for ourselves which really gets us nowhere, and sometimes even into trouble.  We always need to remind ourselves that it is not all about us, but it is really about others.  When you think about it, we are most satisfied, most fulfilled when we help to meet the needs of others.  We are called to be humble and act by serving others.

As our country and the world face the challenge of the Corona virus it is the perfect time to serve others with our acts of charity, kindness and humility toward others.  It is the perfect time to follow the example of Jesus in the “Washing of the Feet.”

Question of the Day:  How will you reenact the “Washing of the Feet” in your service to others so that you can imitate Jesus more fully and give praise to God for the gift of our inheritance of Eternal Life? 

Prayer: “I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.  (John 13:34-35)

Please continue to pray for the victims of the Coronavirus and for all who are affected by this unprecedented pandemic.

Prosit