Holy ThursdayDO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOUExodus 12:1-8, 11-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ How are you all? I wish you all Happy Feast. This day is an important day for every catholic because on this day our Lord has instituted the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is the root of Catholicism.
Dear friends I pose a question. Just imagine that you are coming to the Church for the mass and on the way, you see flashing of the light from heaven suddenly and in that light Mother Mary appear gloriously in front of you and besides you see your parish priest. Whom will you salute first? Mother Mary? or your Parish Priest?... the same question was asked to St. Francis of Assisi by St. Lawrence of third Century. St. Francis promptly replied to the saint that he will salute the parish priest first later Mother Mary.
Mother Mary brought Jesus only once into the world but the priest brings Jesus everyday whenever he celebrates the Eucharist.
Dear friends if there is no priest there is no Eucharist;
if there is no Eucharist there is no Jesus;
if there is no Jesus then there is no Christianity.
Thus, priesthood of Jesus holds a great value in our lives. To honour this great feast I am indeed glad to invite each one of you personally for the sacrifice of Thanks Giving.
Today’s liturgy is divided into three parts.
01. Liturgy of the word
02. Washing the feet
03. Institution of the Holy Eucharist.
01. Liturgy of the word
The reading of today’s liturgy insists on the Passover of the Lord. In the first reading God instructs the people how to celebrate the Passover. And this Passover becomes a memorial event in the life of Israelites.
Ex12:11-14 “In this manner you shall eat the Passover: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance forever”.
Thus the people were prepared themselves to celebrate the Passover. And in the second reading we see the institution of the Last supper. Jesus prepares his disciples to celebrate the new Passover also instructs them to celebrate very often in their lives. “The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for[c] 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 Lord’s death until he comes”. 1 Cor11:24-26.
So dear friends, to celebrate the Passover we need to prepare ourselves. Secondly, we need to celebrate it as often as we can. Thirdly, by celebrating we remember the Lord and his actions in our lives. God blesses us abundantly but how are we going to receive the Lord into our hearts?
Do I really need any preparation? Let’s take few moments to introspect within….
02. Washing the Feet
In the gospel Jesus washed the feet of the apostles. Now my question for you is, who washed the feet of Jesus? You are free to answer.
Dear friends, normally the parish priest prepares and organizes the persons who are eligible to be apostles and celebrate this feast.
Once there was a parish priest living in the parish nearly 4 years. He undertook many good activities for the development of the parish yet many people were against him and his activities. So the parish priest thought of himself and during the time of washing the feet he announced in this way “my dear people I am here past 4 years. I know that I have done some developmental work in our parish but many do not like me and my works. Many of you having anger and jealousy towards me.Today I want to reconcile myself with you. So all those people who angry with me kindly come to the alter and today I am going to wash your feet as a remission for the sins”.
There was a great silence when he announced. After few seconds the people started to go closer to the alter one by one. But one of the parishners went outside and brought the beggar who was begging in front of the church. And he asked the parish priest if you can wash this beggar’s feet. The parish priest invited the beggar and asked him to sit with other people. His appearance was nauseating. He had lots of wounds in his body; the blood was oozing out. Foul smell and everyone felt very uncomfortable. The parish priest removed his outer garment and began to wash the feet and kissed them. When he came to the beggar he untied the bandages from his leg suddenly the blood gushed fourth from his wounds. The parish priest slowly washed the feet of the beggar and kissed his feet. The whole campus was stunned at the act of the parish priest. When people saw the act of the parish priest they felt ashamed of them and began to change their attitudes.
In today’s gospel when Jesus came to Peter he said “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” yes dear friends if we want to take part within the life of Jesus we must be ready to wash the feet of others. Because Jesus clearly tells us that “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you”. Thus Jesus gives an example to all of us. Today how many of us are ready to wash the feet of others? Dear Husbands are you ready to wash the feet of your wives Vs. the wives too. How many of you are ready to wash your enemies’ feet? Jesus tells us that washing the feet others is compulsory to every Christian. If you are taking bold step to wash the feet of others, then this celebration becomes meaningful. Jesus set an example to his Apostles. Here the parish priest set an example to every one of us. Are we ready for the task?
03. Institution of the Eucharist
When Jesus was on this earth he performed many miracles, signs and wonders but he never asked his disciples to do like him. But the moment when he instituted the Eucharist Jesus tells them “Do this in memory of me”. Thus you must understand the value of Eucharist and how valuable the people who celebrate the Eucharist.
Dear friends, a call to priesthood is God’s initiative and it’s a wonderful gift of Father. We cannot receive this gift through any merit or power of this world. God chooses people and empowers them with this gift of priesthood. Today you can be Teachers, Doctors, Engineers, etc and if you have money and education you can attain any profession you desire, but priesthood is not a profession, it’s a vocation and life. We need the grace of God. This grace of God cannot be attained through money or worldly wealth. When we turn the pages of church history we find that the educated people St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas of Aquinas, etc. And uneducated people like St. John Vianny, St. Mary Comparasso ect are priest and today they are saints. When the grace of God touched them, they were transformed and became priest. Today as the companies of world chooses the people for their profession God also chooses people for his ministry. His choice of choosing begins from the moment of conception itself or even before the conception.
For example in the book of prophet Jeremiah 1:5- 8 we read that “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”
A priest is a precious and free gift of God and blessing to the family, society and an asset to the church. It’s a day to pray for the priests earnestly and also pray for the harvest to continue the Mission of Christ.
Why did Jesus call the priests?
In the Old Testament the priests are chosen by the genealogy. From the tribe of Aaron or the tribe of Levi are called to serve the Lord. It is called priesthood of Aaron or the Levitical priesthood and their duties are explained in the book of Numbers 18. Mostly they offered sacrifices at the altar of the Lord for the sins of the people. They have to serve the lord but they cannot forgive the sins of the people. Thus their duties are restricted.
In the New Testament God chooses Jesus as a high priest. And this Jesus is offered once in for all for the remission of all sins. “We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession” Heb 4:14 and Jesus becomes offerer and offertory. “He entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” Heb 9:12. And “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” Heb 10:10. by following the foot prints of Jesus every priest is obliged to do as Jesus commanded.
Hence, Jesus chose 12 apostles and instructed them with the duties of a priest. In the gospel of Mark 3: 13-15 Jesus clearly instructs that “He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons”. Thus all those who follow the linage of the apostles are called as priests.
Why did Jesus institute the priesthood?
01. TO BE REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHRIST AND PEOPLE
Priests are chosen by God and they follow the linage of the apostles according to the instruction of Jesus. For example 2 Cor 5:20 “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Thus every priest acts like ambassadors for Christ and people.
02. TO BECOME OFFERER AND OFFERTORY
During the institution of Eucharist “Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22: 17-19. Thus, Jesus commands each Apostle (Each Priests) to celebrate the memory of him as often as he can. As Christ becomes offerer (one who offers the Sacrifice) also He becomes Offertory every priests become offerer and offertory whenever he celebrates the Eucharist.
03. TO CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS
Jesus with his authority empowered the apostles to celebrate the sacraments. After the resurrection “Jesus came to apostles and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt 28: 18-20.
Thus, Jesus calls every priest to fulfil the duties of Christ of him. Also Jesus assured to the priests that he will be with them in the end of the age.
Today’s understanding of the priest and priesthood.
Once I have read somewhere like this
The priest is always wrong…
If he begins the mass on time – he has no work so he begins
If he begins the mass late – he makes people to wait
If he preaches long homily – his homily is boring
If he preaches short homily – he does not have time to prepare
If he owns a car, phone etc – he is rich and lives a luxurious life
If he does not use – he does not go with current situation
If he visits family – he is always out
If he does not visit families – he does not have time for the people
If he asks donations – he is money oriented
If he does not asks money – he is proud and lazy
If he takes long time in the confession – people avoid him
If he finishes the confession shortly – he has no time for the penitence
If he renovates the church – he wastes the people’s money
If he does not do – he is not intrusted in our church
If he goes with the youth – he forgets the old
If he has companies of woman – he is not chaste
If he is young – he does not have experience
If he is old – better to be retired
Hence as long as the priest lives people find better person but if the priest dies nobody can replace him. For example past three months in Tamil Nadu alone 5 priests have died. There is no body to replace them. Priests are necessary for our own sanctification and for the mission of God.
Once there was a parish priest in the city of Assisi where St. Francis lived. People considered Francis as living saints. The pope, cardinal, bishops used to visit Francis because of his holiness of life. One day the people of that city came to Francis and complained about their parish priest. Because the parish priest was living an immoral life. So along with the people Francis went to meet the parish priest. As he knocked the door of the parish priest somebody opened the door and Francis found him with the company of women. People all watched this incident and thought; today Francis will do something for the priest. When the priest came out of his room immediately Francis knelt in his feet and began to kiss his hands of the priest. With astonishment the priest told to Francis; how come you as a man of saint kneel on my feet? Francis with tears in his eyes replied; “these hands are sanctified, these hands are holy, because this is the hand brings Jesus to the world. If there is no priest we do not receive Christ in to our lives”. Immediately the priest felt ashamed of his sinful acts and made good confession and from then on he lived a holy life.
Yes dear friends, priests are not from heaven or they are not celestial beings. They are just like you and me. They are born in our families, educated in the same society; they do have feelings and emotions. Let us respect them and pray for them. Every day the priests are praying for their faithful. Today it is the day for the priests. When Jesus himself says I will be with you always what about us the faithful? Today let’s assure all the priests that the faithful too are with the priests in the Mission of God. As a sign of being with the priest I request all of you get up and make little prayer for the priests…..
In the honour of the institution of the priesthood Lets wish our parish priests and other priests who are working in our parish. Along with the choir let us sing and wish them.
Happy Feast Day to you… Happy Feast Day to you Dear Father…
Happy Feast Day to you…
May the good God Bless you… May the good God Bless you… May the good God bless you dear father… Happy Feast Day to you!
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