On HOLY THURSDAY

We commemorate the Last Supper on this day.  This is important for us Catholics as we believe that during the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and the Holy Orders as He said, “This is my body,” and poured wine, saying, “This is my blood.” He then asked the disciples to “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19-20)

Holy Thursday is also called Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment). On Maundy Thursday, we commemorate the washing of the feet of the disciples and the giving of the new commandment to love one another as Jesus has loved them. This is hardly noticed by many Catholics that the three Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) talk about the Last Supper but it is only in the Gospel of John that we can find the washing of the feet of the disciples and this new command from Jesus to love one another at the Last Supper. The Gospel of John highlights the true essence and meaning of the institution of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders –TO SERVE and TO LOVE.

Today, each Catholic Family is requested to pray for their priests, for all the priests assigned in their parish and for all the priests they personally know. This is the time also to forgive those priests who might have hurt them emotionally through their words or actions. This is the time to ask forgiveness from God as well in destroying the reputation and ministry of a priest. There is a need to pray for all the priests to remind them of their vocation TO SERVE AND TO LOVE. There is also a need for the parishioners to protect the vocation to priesthood and the ministry of their priests. If a priest who abuses his power can hurt thousands of Catholics, one Catholic can hurt millions of souls by falsely accusing a priest. In both cases, we need to pray for the priest. If there is no priest, no one can celebrate the Holy Eucharist. If there is no celebration of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, is there a way for us to receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Remember, the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus said this -"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day" (John 6:54). The Holy Eucharist and the priests who celebrate it are both important, and it is on this day that our prayer for priests is of great importance.