HOLY THURSDAY
On this day we celebrate the Sacraments of Priesthood and Eucharist. In every diocese the priests who have given their lives in generous service of the people of God gather with the Bishop for the Chrism Mass and they renew their commitment to priestly service. Also at this Mass the oils of Chrism, Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick are blessed by the bishop, these holy oils will be used in the Baptisms, Confirmations and anointing of the sick in the local parishes. The theme running throughout this day is one of service, service to God and one another. On Holy Thursday Evening we commemorate the first Eucharist when Jesus gave us the gift of himself to be with us for all time. The Evening Mass commerates the Last Supper and its theme is one of service and sacrifice. We see Jesus as one who serves. Just as he freely gives himself in washing the feet of his disciples, so too he gives himself in the bread and wine he takes, blesses and hands to the apostles gathered in the upper room as he does through the priests down through the generations to us, in the same way he will give himself on the cross on Good Frida. All these acts of self-giving are the same act – that of the Son of Man who came ‘not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
The action of the Church that is our action as the body of Christ on this night also witnesses to the Church’s respect for Christ’s Body present in the consecrated Host in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, carried in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose. No Mass will be celebrated again in the Church throughout the world until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening when we proclaim the Resurrection. As people who are followers of Christ We should embrace all those who are in need of any kind as Christ did. We should be leading lives of generous service to all those who need our help wherever they are and there are many people around who may need our help and care. Each of us is called to show that we are a caring people showing the love of God to all those who have nobody to care for them we have to show them that ours is an all loving and caring God. When we serve our brothers and sisters in whatever way we are called showing them that our God is an all-loving and caring father in heaven then the Eucharist whenever we partake of this great sacrament will bring us joy and peace. In the words of the liturgy let us go forth to meet the Lord in peace and thanksgiving as we celebrate the three days of the Easter Triduum
Fullerton T 