He loved His own in the world and He loved them to the end.
John 13:1
Holy Thursday – John 13:1b
He loved His own in the world and He loved them to the end.
Additional Reading(s) today: Exod 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
Today’s Lenten Reflection
If there is one thing that comes through loud and clear in today’s Gospel message, it is love. A love so big and so wide that it is beyond our (limited) human comprehension. A love so magnificent, so mystifying, so divine that it can be contained in the most unlikely of places — a small piece of unleavened bread or self-giving acts of charity like washing the feet of a friend. That is our faith: love in the most unlikely of places; miracles abounding in plain sight. As our Lord knelt down before His disciples to wash their feet, much to their confusion, He demonstrated how challenging the road ahead would be. This was not going to be a journey of comfort and ease. To the contrary, it was going to be a journey of paradoxes, suffering, and impossibility. Holding up what we now know as the Holy Eucharist, Jesus proclaimed: “This is My body … this is My blood.” Wait, what? How? We can only imagine what was running through the disciple’s minds at this point! And maybe some of us can still admit to the same kind of confusion today. It is not unreasonable to ask questions about our faith … in fact, it can be a good and healthy thing to do. When we humbly seek, we will receive answers in accordance with God’s will. And as we prayerfully meditate on those answers with the living bread in our hands, we will come face to face with the same Jesus who knelt to wash the feet of His apostles before the Last Supper. In that moment we know that we, too, are His own. He gives it all to us, and will love us until the very end. Praise be to Jesus Christ!
Lenten Meditation
If you are able to attend the Mass of the Last Supper tonight, go with the intention of diving deep into the Tradition and reality of what is unfolding, from the incense and candles to the washing of the feet, to the eucharistic prayer in which you will hear the Words from the Gospel repeated … for you. As you approach to receive Holy Communion, enter into that still and sacred place of your heart. This is your Last Supper moment with Jesus. Imagine Him saying the words directly to you while handing you the sacred bread: “This is My body … this is My blood.” It is enough to make you drop to your knees in awe and reverence. Take it, eat it, and recognize your place among the disciples — a calling to serve and to love.
Lenten Prayer
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, we thank You for the gift of Yourself in the Eucharist. We know we are not worthy, but we are so grateful for the real food that truly sustains us week after week. Make us fervent, frequent, and worthy recipients of the Sacrament that brings forth Christ’s Body, Blood, soul, and Divinity. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
Today’s suggested penance
*Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and holistic lives of faith.
“How sweet the presence of Jesus is for the longing, harassed soul! It is instant peace, and [healing] balm to every wound” –Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
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