A NEW COMMANDMENT

And so, we enter the most solemn time of our liturgical year – the Sacred Paschal Triduum.  Beginning tonight when we celebrate Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, we participate in the celebration of the greatest mysteries of our redemption, as we remember our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and risen.

We read in Exodus 12 (our 1st Reading) the instructions for the Passover Meal.  The lamb for the Passover meal & the blood that was used to mark the doorposts & lintels of the Israelites’ houses, so that the angel of the Lord would pass over them, points us to Jesus, the spotless ‘Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (cf John 1:29); the blood to ‘the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish’ (cf 1 Peter 1:19).

In our Gospel in John 13:1-15, we have the beautiful account of the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Jesus also instituted the Holy Eucharist, as recounted by St Paul in our 2nd Reading (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) – ‘This is my body, which is for you …This cup is a new covenant in my blood’.

Some questions to ponder this holy night:  Can I, like Jesus my Master, kneel in humility to wash the feet of others?  Whose feet do I need to wash today with a spirit of tender love, mercy & forgiveness? Am I willing to let Jesus wash my feet through the loving action of another?  How can I approach the Eucharist with more faith & love? What areas of my life do I need the Eucharistic Lord Jesus to restore, heal & save?

Come, listen, pray & sing along with this beautiful hymn “As I Have Done For You”.

https://youtu.be/AKMVLtSX6qU?si=p1Y147K9ZoFxFEb6

Until we connect again tomorrow when we celebrate Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. 

Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead