Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday and is a part of the Holy Week. It holds great significance, a crucial place during the Holy Week which starts on Palm Sunday and comes to a climax on Easter Sunday.
On Maundy Thursday we remember and celebrate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His Twelve Apostles, when He established the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Priesthood. The day is observed with great solemnity and reverence in churches worldwide, with special services.
On Maundy Thursday Jesus demonstrated the importance of Humility, Selflessness and service to others, by washing the feet of His Apostles. It was customary in those days for non-Israelite slaves to wash the feet of the guests. It was a very menial task. Jesus took the role of a servant and washed the feet of His Apostles – 24 feet – knowing fully well that they will all desert Him when He would need them the most; Peter would deny Him; Judas had already conspired to betray Him. This action of Jesus is imitated during Mass on Maundy Thursday with washing of feet of 12 persons by the celebrant. It is a reminder of the importance of living a life of humility and service, as Jesus did during His life on earth. It is a day of reflection and a call to action – to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Maundy comes from the Latin word “Mandatum” meaning “Commandment” reflecting Jesus’ words, “ I give you a new Commandment, love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another”. (Jn13:34). Jesus’ example suggests that loving as He loved would mean caring for the needs of others and acting lovingly without expecting anything in return. We have to do this not only for those who treat us well, but even for those who hurt and betray us.
The deepest meaning of “Washing of the feet” has to do with the Cross. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His Cross. His humble service at the last supper is a foretaste of the larger act of humble service that He would render on the Cross.
On Maundy Thursday Jesus established Two sacraments – the EUCHARIST and the PRIESTHOOD. The instruction of Jesus, “you also ought to wash one another’s feet” highlights the service aspect of these Two Sacraments.
EUCHARIST: The term ‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word ‘Eucharista’ meaning ‘Thanksgiving’. The Lord’s Supper was an early form of what is known today as the Eucharist. It is a thanksgiving for the saving Death of Christ. It is a Covenant – a relationship of mutual honour and responsibility between God and believers. It is a Remembrance of a past event now. Christ is not re-sacrificed at each Mass, but we enter into that one moment in history when Jesus was scourged for our offences and wounded for our sins. Jesus’ moment of offering on the Cross becomes present and real. That is why we can say the Bread and Wine actually becomes the body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
The Mass is the same sacrifice of the Cross in the sense that the Priest and the Victim are the same i.e. Jesus. The only difference is that it is Bloody on the Cross for Jesus, but Unbloody for us who receive Him. It is a New Sacrifice in the sense that we offer it to God with Christ in an Unbloody manner. It is a Sacrifice offered for the living and the dead. It is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Holy Eucharist is the whole action of the Mass in its sacrificial nature whereas Holy Communion is one of the actions i.e. the receiving of the Body and Blood of Jesus. Communion is so called because it is a sign of being in communion with the Bishop and his local church and the universal church with which he is in communion.
Frequent receiving of Holy communion in a worthy manner, strengthens contact with Jesus Christ and allows us to be part of the sacrifice of Jesus. The First time someone receives Communion, we are used to saying its their First Holy Communion. But it is almost never their First Holy Eucharist. Normally they would have been participating in the Eucharist (the Mass) for several years but only now able to do so fully by receiving Holy Communion.
PRIESTHOOD: A Priest is a religious leader, authorized to perform sacred duties, with authority to administer religious rites. His office or position is the ‘Priesthood’.
The word Priesthood has two meanings. Firstly, Priesthood is the Power and Authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end. Through the Priesthood, God the Creator governs the Heavens and the Earth. Secondly Priesthood is the Power and Authority God gives to Man to act in all things necessary for the Salvation of His People.
The Priest is another Christ who works daily among men and bears the gifts of God. The catechism of the Catholic Church (1548) states “By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy orders, the Priest acts in persona Christi Capitis”. Priesthood has been instituted for the good of men and women and for the Communion of the Church. Through the hands of the Priest the very presence of Jesus is brought to the people. Jesus keeps His Flock under His constant protection through His Priests. The Priest leads men and women to God. The world needs Priests because ultimately the world needs Christ. No Priests – No Christ!!
Therefore Maundy Thursday is significant for the two Sacraments given to us by Jesus – The Eucharist and Holy Priesthood. All the Sacraments are administered to us by the Priest, and all the Sacraments are the works and actions of Jesus. When we go to confession that is the action of His Mercy; in Confirmation Jesus sends His Holy Spirit upon us; in the Anointing the work of Jesus is Healing. Every Sacrament is a “Something” but only the Eucharist is a “Someone”. It is Jesus! Jesus pours Himself out for us, giving us His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Not just during Lent, but every day, let us feel the Love and Power of Jesus, who came down to earth to redeem us from the clutches of Satan and take us back to the Father, to live in His Kingdom, which was prepared for us from the beginning of the world.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
– J. Rodrigues