1 April 2010: Holy Thursday

The Last (Paschal) Supper

Jesus left Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, and slept at Bethania, returning to the city towards sunset of Thursday, first day of the Azymes.

The Apostles came to him, asking, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Pasch?" ... he sends two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city ... there you will meet a man carrying a jar of water; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, Where is my refectory, where I may eat the Pasch with my disciples?’ ...” (cf Mk, 14:12-5)

His disciples went into the city, and found the place, furnished, as he had told them. They prepared the Pasch undoubtedly, with the help of the Blessed Mother and the pious women (they procure a paschal lamb, slaughtering it in the Temple then roasted; unleavened bread [azymes], wine, and lettuce or other vegetables).

This chamber is an image of our heart which our Lord makes his dwelling-place in Holy Communion. To receive him, our heart must be large and spacious in desires and generosity. Never give our Lord only what we cannot refuse him under pain of mortal sin. It must also be well-furnished: adorned with virtues, true humility, ardent love.

He sat down with the twelve Apostles and said, “I have desired to eat this Pasch with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15). In the Paschal lamb Jesus must have forcibly seen his imminent passion; but he remained calm.

Thus the Paschal Supper, institution of the Eucharist, agony in the Garden, his death and burial, all took place in one day, consummated on the cross.

Judas had, on the day before, promised to deliver his Lord into the hands of his enemies for thirty pieces of silver. To be consistent with our Lord’s glory and not appear ignorant of this base betrayal, Jesus predicted it during the Paschal Supper: “Amen, I say to you one of you who eats with me will betray me.” (Lk 22:21)

The Apostles began to be sorrowful and one by one asked him, ‘Is it I?’ Judas does not seem to show any emotion despite our Lord’s denunciation: “It were better for him if that man had never been born.” (Mt 26:24)

Let us, at this sad spectacle of weakness and treachery in the person of an Apostle, humiliate ourselves profoundly before God, and beg him to preserve us in his holy fear with the aid of his all-powerful grace.

The Paschal Supper will shortly become the Eucharistic feast in which the Lamb of God gives himself as food of his creatures; before instituting this mystery, Jesus chose to act with utmost humility: wash the feet of his apostles including Judas. By it he intends to give us some idea of the purity of soul with which we must receive Holy Communion.

“... rising from supper and removing his garments, he tied a towel around himself. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet; and to wipe them with the towel ...” (Jn 13:4-5)

Then he sat down and said, “You call me Master and Lord. ... If, then I, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.” (Jn 13:13-5) His example as the rule of our words, thoughts, and actions.

The institution of the Holy Eucharist is narrated in the Gospel: “... while they were at supper, Jesus took bread, blessed, broke, gave to his disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat; this is my Body’. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, gave to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’.” (Lk 22:19-20; Mt 26:26-7)

At Holy Mass imagine hearing Jesus say, ‘Do this for commemoration of me’; and behold him, in the person of the priest, changing bread and wine into his adorable Body and Blood.

Jesus, knowing his hour has come, showed a deeper love for his followers. For the first time he calls them: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” (Jn 13:33)

“... if I go and prepare a place for you” (Jn 14:3), “... I will ask the Father ... he shall give you the Paraclete, to be with you forever” (cf Jn 14:16). “... In the world you face persecution; but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16:33)

“I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you.” (Jn 14:13-4)

As a dying father exhorts his weeping children, Jesus commands his Apostles -- “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35)

Jesus had begun his public life by prayer, and ends it similarly. “He looked up to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you’ ...” (Jn 17:1)

He asks to be loved, known, and served by all men, but only for the glory of his Father. We here learn: To begin and end all our good works by prayer, asking God’s blessing on them.

He prays further, “... that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”; and asks it as the price of his merits: “I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (Jn 17:3-4)

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp756-64

The ‘New Commandment’ of Our Lord

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (Jn 13:34-5)

New because the reasons for it are new: the neighbor, one with Christ and the object of the Father’s special love; the Model, always current, establishing a new relationship with men; its degree of fulfilment ... ‘as I have loved you’; and a fresh approach between men.

Let us recall Mary’s dedication to the accomplishment of God’s Will and her service to others. So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words when he affirmed: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 287)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:278-80

Octave of the Annunciation of Our Lady (in the Carmelite order). — Balingham on Calend. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Our Lady of Tears. Syracuse, Italy. Statue which wept August 29 to September 1, 1953. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Our Lady of Tears, Sicily (1953). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Polish king Jan Casimir proclaims Mary, Patroness and Queen of Poland. 1656. Proclamation is in recognition of defeat of the Swedish siege of Jasna Góra; Polish victory at "fortress of Mary" attributed to her miraculous intercession. ... On Apr 1, 2005, letter from Pope John Paul II delivered to Jasna Góra prior; Pope also sent new "crowns" for icon. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)