We begin tonight the Sacred Triduum, the three days that call us together to celebrate the mysteries of our redemption. In order to help us enter more deeply into these mysteries, each celebration that occurs on these three days has its own unique character and particular points of emphasis. They move us from the events that occurred at the Last Supper, to our Lord’s Passion and death on the cross, and finally to the Easter Vigil, when we joyfully celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection from the dead which gives each of us the hope of eternal life in heaven.
Each celebration offers us an invitation. Each celebration invites us to open ourselves more fully to God so that we can come to experience ever more deeply the mysteries by which Jesus Christ has redeemed us. Our understanding and belief as Catholics is that what we do here together over these next three days is not a mere remembrance of events that happened in the past – long ago and far away in ancient Jerusalem. Rather, as we remember these events, we actively participate in their once-and-for-all saving power and experience their effects made present to us here and now.
Let us reflect a moment on what we celebrate tonight during this, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. In this evening’s Gospel account, we hear about Judas’ falling to the power of the devil and our Lord, Jesus, washing the feet of the disciples. We don’t hear about the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. But, we hear about it in the second reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. In fact, this is the earliest written account about it in the Bible. So, we know that belief in the body and blood of Christ offered to the faithful community has been a defining aspect of our Church from very early on in its existence. As we continue in this three-year Eucharistic Revival that the bishops of the United States have asked us to participate in, I would like to focus on the Eucharist this evening. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is first and foremost a sacred moment of encounter.
You will notice that St. Paul begins his teaching on the Eucharist by acknowledging that he handing on what he has himself encountered.
The disciples, who had spent three years with Jesus, encounter him in a new and life-changing way. As he is about to offer his life for them and, in fact for all humanity, he offers his own Body and Blood so that he would be present to his followers until the end of time. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, our Lord is truly present to us, both in his Word and in his sacred Body and Blood. He continues to nourish us so that we can continue to grow in holiness. At the same time, he offers himself to the Father for us, the only gift that is worthy of God: God himself. And he offers himself to the Father both as the perfect response to all that God has given us and in expiation of our sins. We should reflect often on this multi-faceted celebration, the greatest mystery of our faith.
Another important aspect of tonight’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper is the establishment of the Christian priesthood. You know that we all share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ as a result of our baptism. Like Jesus, we are to offer ourselves to do the Father’s will and die to ourselves so as to live in the true freedom of following the way that God has prepared for each of us. You also know of the sacramental priesthood that calls some of us men to serve the baptized by offering our lives in service to the believing community. A clear sign of the service we are called to embrace is the washing of the feet, in imitation of our Lord’s washing his disciples’ feet; I will be privileged to do just that in a few moments.
Tonight’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper reminds us that we have much for which we should be grateful – that’s why it is called the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving.” Every time we come to Mass, we encounter our Lord in his Word and in his sacred Body and Blood. This encounter encourages us to lead lives more like his. It also strengthens us as a community of faith to follow the teachings that God presents to us in Sacred Scriptures. So, let us, in grateful praise, offer our lives in love and service to God and others, just as his son did for us!