Reflection on Today's Readings, Holy Thursday, Year B, April 1st, 2021
Texts: Ex. 12:1-8.11-14; Ps. 116:12-13.15-18; 1Cor. 11:23-26
Today's celebration commemorates the institution of Holy Eucharist and priesthood. The sacraments of Holy Eucharist and priesthood were instituted on the same day and at the same. Pope John Paul 11 says, “There can be no Eucharist without the priesthood, just as there can be no priesthood without the Eucharist” (no. 2; Holy Thursday Letter to all Priests, 2004). He also says, "At the Last Supper, we were born as priests: for this reason it is both a pleasure and a duty to gather once again in the Upper Room and to remind one another with heartfelt gratitude of the lofty mission which we share" (no. 1). It is the day we come together to thank and appreciate God for the gift of priesthood and Holy Eucharist. Both Holy Eucharist and priesthood were instituted for the love of mankind. Through priestly ministry Christ continue to be present among us both in the person of the priest and in the Holy Eucharist. In the service of the priest Christ continue to be present among us: in the person of the priest, Christ baptises us, cleanses us of our sins, makes us the children of God and members of the Church; in the person of the priest, pours out His Spirit on us during confirmation and strengthens us to be His soldiers; in the person of the priest, Christ turns breads and wine to His body and blood respectively, and feeds us with His body and blood; in the person of the priest, Christ forgives us our sins at confessional and strengthens us against sinning; in the person of the priest, Christ heals us of infirmities of body, mind and soul, and strengthens us for journey into eternal life; in the person of the priest, Christ blesses the union of one man and one woman and gives grace to live the life; in the person of the priest, Christ prays for us and blesses us. Dear friends we have more than enough to thank God for in gift of priesthood.
We also have more than enough to thank God for in the gift of Holy Eucharist, for God continue to be present in our midst through the Holy Eucharist. Our mouth and hearts should be filled with thanks and praise to God today. Holy Eucharist is the sacrifice that takes away our sins. It is also the sacrament through which Jesus Christ is present in our midst; Jesus Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist in His humanity and divinity. In the Holy Eucharist, we find nourishment for our body and soul. In the Holy Eucharist we continue to witness the love that led the Son of God to the Cross, the love of which there is no greater love. Holy Eucharist provides for us the model of divine love; it calls us to live out the divine love.
Another theme in today's celebration is the command to emulate the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ says, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Jesus Christ calls us to a humble service.
Lord our God, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Eucharist and priesthood and also for calling us to love and serve as you did; grant that we may appreciate your gifts to us. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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