Holy Thursday

“Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” -John 13:1-15

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the three pillars of the Catholic Church instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper: the priesthood, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Holy Eucharist. That night was Christ's first step on His long, painful walk to Calvary.

This morning, I awoke with a great uneasiness in my soul, like I’ve awoken every Holy Thursday since my wreck. The reason for my unrest is that I know what’s coming. I am a little afraid, a little apprehensive of the coming pain, and I’m praying I will have the strength this year to finish. For me, it is as easy as just not thinking to escape Jesus’ coming trial, but do I, too, want to abandon Him like so many of His other friends did?

The next three days—starting this evening with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, continuing with the services of Good Friday, and the lonely silence of Holy Saturday—offer us a chance to join in meditative suffering with Jesus. We can choose either to fully commit to remaining with Him or to run away, leaving Him at the first sign of trouble. I’m going to walk with Him. Will you join me?

Saint Conon of Naso, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!