HOLY THURSDAY

WHAT IS ‘HOLY THURSDAY’?

   SOME PEOPLE CALL IT MAUNDY THURSDAY. “Maundy” COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD MANDATUM OR ‘COMMANDMENT’ REFLECTING WHEN JESUS SAID, ” I GIVE YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT “.

EXCEPT FOR CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AT EASTER, HOLY THURSDAY IS ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND DAYS OF THE YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

AT THE LAST SUPPER, JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF (!) AS THE NEW ‘SACRIFICIAL LAMB’ AND TAUGHT ALL THE PRIESTS TO OFFER THE SAME SACRIFICE IN THE IDENTICAL WAY.  IN FACT, AROUND THE WORLD BISHOPS AND PRIESTS (NORMALLY WOULD) COME TOGETHER THIS MORNING AT THEIR LOCAL CHURCHES TO CELEBRATE THEIR PRIESTHOODS AND BLESS THE OILS( CHRISM) USED FOR FUTURE SACRAMENTS (LIKE BAPTISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, AND ANNOINTINGS OF THE SICK OR DYING).

MY FAVOURITE PART OF HOLY THURSDAY IS WHEN OUR PRIEST WOULD WASH THE FEET OF 12 PEOPLE TO REMEMBER WHEN JESUS DID THIS FOR HIS 12 DISCIPLES (JOHN 20:22)

IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND HUMBLING CEREMONY AND IT ALSO STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS . CAN YOU IMAGINE OUR ALMIGHTY GOD BENDING OVER TO WASH YOUR FEET?   THIS LESSON ABOUT THE NEED FOR CLEANSING WATER ( BAPTISM) AND THE EUCHARIST IS THE START OF THE SACRED ‘TRIDUUM’ OR ‘THREE’  OF HOLY WEEK AND THEY ARE THE 3 HOLIEST DAYS OF MY CHURCH.

HOW CAN WE BE OF SERVICE TO TO OTHERS TODAY?