9th April 2009 :: Holy Thursday
Have you ever been totally surprised by the actions and words of a loved one? Have you ever been bowled over when somebody who you think you know does something totally surprising and out of the blue? If the answer is yes, then you will have some idea how those disciples of Jesus felt when he knelt down to wash their feet. Ever since he called them, one by one, they became captivated by him; there was something about him that made them feel fully alive, and ready to leave everything. Ever now and again they heard him speak about suffering and death, about the wheat grain that must fall to the ground and die before it bears much fruit. But those words seamed so insignificant as they shared that triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the people waving palm branches and putting down greenery for him to walk on. That night they would yet again share the Passover meal with him, recalling God's deliverance of his people. But that night was to turn out very different.
Around the table they perhaps noticed that Jesus was a bit more anxious than usual. Perhaps his gaze rested a lot of the time on Judas, for what reason they did not know. Suddenly he takes off his Tunic and washes their feet. They felt very uncomfortable, and Peter brave as ever gives expression to their feelings, with those strong words, 'Never, you shall never wash my feet'. But Jesus, who often let Peter have his way, is somehow much more strong and direct, 'If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me'. And then at the end, that strange request, go and do what I have done to you, wash one another's feet. We ourselves would have felt very much like those disciples at the thought of Jesus washing our feet. How many parishes had difficulty this year getting volunteers for the foot washing? People recoil against such a thing, our feet are very personal and unique to us, and they very seldom are on display. However the foot washing is not really important, but the action of Jesus is, and his words to copy what he had done. He was calling them and indeed all of us towards service, towards the concrete expression of Love, the gospel puts it very well, 'having loved his own, he loved them to the end'.
St John does not mention the bread and wine in his account of the Last Supper, the other gospels include it. What he is trying to pass on to us is that central commandment of love. People follow and love God in many different ways. However the Second Vatican Council states that the celebration of the Eucharist is the center of the entire Christian Life. I think it is regrettable when people see attendance at Mass as purely obligation, or those who see no value whatsoever in gathering around the Lord's Table. But those of us who do gather there is also a warning, make sure that you become what you receive, put on the mind of Christ. Fifty years ago my own Grandfather was disillusioned when he saw people 'kissing the altar rails' as he put it, and then not even waiting till Mass was over before the slandering and backbiting started.
On this night we give thanks to God for the humility of his Son, we ask God to make us ever ready to serve whenever and wherever the occasion arises. We also give thanks for the gift of the Priesthood instituted by the Lord on that night. Please pray for your priests who as the scripture say are but earthen ware vessels, in need all the time of your prayers and your encouragement. Lastly we ask the Lord to give us all a greater devotion to his Eucharistic Presence, and to fill us with the grace we need to serve one another in love. May Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant be our guide. Amen.
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Homilies Archive
17nd May 2009
26th April 2009
3rd Sunday of Easter
12th April 2009
Easter Sunday
9th April 2009
Holy Thursday
29th March 2009
5th Sunday in Lent
22nd March 2009
4th Sunday in Lent
17th March 2009
St Patrick's Day
15th March 2009
3rd Sunday in Lent
8th March 2009
2nd Sunday in Lent
1st March 2009
1st Sunday in Lent
25th February 2009
Ash Wednesday
22nd February 2009
8th February 2009
1st February 2009
25th January 2009
18th January 2009
11th January 2009
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
6th January 2009
Feast of the Epiphany
4th January 2009
2008 HOMILIES ARCHIVE
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