Friends, today we are celebrating Holy Thursday, is both the day of the institution of the Holy Eucharist and our birthday as both sacramental and ministerial Priests. I would like to begin this brief reflection by congratulating all of us, the faithful. It is a day of rededicating ourselves to Christ’s mission. Today Christ demonstrated his humility by washing the feet of his disciples. So, we are invited to follow the example of Christ’s humility. Lord Jesus, on this Holy Thursday, help us to remember your sacrifice and love. Strengthen us through the Eucharist to serve others with a humble heart. May we follow your example, loving and caring for those in need.
Friends, today the Church celebrates God’s beautiful gift to her and the entire world, the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the food that God has generously and providentially made available to us to nourish us on our spiritual journey. According to Pope Francis, “The Eucharist is not just a weekly way of celebrating our faith, but should radically affect our relationship with others, especially with those most in need.” The Eucharist gives us the grace to feel forgiven and be ready to forgive others. We go to Mass not because we are worthy or want to appear better than others. Instead, it is because we know that we are always in need of God’s love, grace, and mercy. These come to us through the body and blood of Christ. The Eucharist affects the life of our Christian communities and the church receives her mission and identity from the Eucharist.
Friends, the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Christ on Holy Thursday equally marks the institution of the ministerial priesthood. So, the priesthood is both God’s gift and a mystery. This means that it is God who freely calls and decides who to call. The mystical nature of the priesthood derives first from the lives of Melchizedek and second from Christ. Brothers and sisters, this mystical nature also reaches its fullness at the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and every Mass. That is the consecration of bread and wine, which transforms into the real body and blood of Christ. Therefore, the priest is the defender of the truth. He stands with the angels to give glory to God. He causes sacrifices to rise to God.
Friends, through the Eucharist, we Catholics are united with Christ in a profound way. We are reminded that Jesus is truly present with us in the bread and wine, and that we are called to receive this gift with reverence and awe. The Eucharist is a source of strength and nourishment for our journey of faith. As we partake of the body and blood of Christ, we are strengthened to live out our vocation as disciples, to love and serve others as Jesus did. At the same time, the Eucharist is a call to mission. As we receive this gift, we are reminded that we are called to share it with others, to be a witness to the presence of Christ in our world, and to work for justice and peace. In the Eucharist, we see Jesus’ ultimate act of love and service. He offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we might have eternal life. In this sacrament, we are called to remember his sacrifice and to share in his love and service to others.
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus chose to wash the feet of his disciples. He also feeds them not only with physical food but also with spiritual food. This is to show and teach us that we must be ready to serve our brothers and sisters. Instead of struggling to be the leader and the chief at all times, let us, like Jesus, aspire to be the servant of others. The joy of working in the vineyard of the Lord comes from serving others more than from being served by others. However, this is only possible through a humble heart prepared for service. Once again, congratulations to all God’s faithful servants who love Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, a time to reflect on the Last Supper and Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist. It is a call to deepen our faith, embrace our mission, and live with a servant’s heart. As we meditate on his sacrifice and love in the Eucharist, let us renew our dedication to serve others. May we live out our faith by loving and serving as Jesus did, witnessing to his presence in our world.
