The Homily on Holy Thursday Year C, 14th April, 2022

 The Homily on Holy Thursday Year C, 14th April, 2022

Readings: Ex: 12:1-8,11-14; Ps. 116; 1Cor. 11:23-26; John:13:1-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH: A CALL TO SERVE IN HUMILITY AND LOVE

The events of Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum of the passion and resurrection of the Lord which is the peak of the entire liturgical year. These events begin with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper after the Chrism Mass in the morning, which reached it peak at the Easter Vigil and ends with  Sunday evening prayer. 

This shows that today’s celebration is truly very significant, for in it some of the core elements of our faith is established. Beginning with the Lord given us his own Most Precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Where the bread and wine turned into this Body and Blood. Here, as the Eternal High Priest of all, at the Last Supper, Jesus offers his own Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine, as the beginning of the very first Sacrifice of the Mass, lifted up as offering to God the Father, which turns into the essence and substance of his own Body and Blood offered on the Altar at the Cross of Calvary on Good Friday, where this Sacrifice of the Mass is accomplished. By this singular event the Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and established the institution of Holy Priesthood and made his disciples to share in his High Priest function and service.

So, the Mass of Holy Thursday evening, shows deep signs of the mystery of God's love. The Gospel specially, links all these events with the concrete reality of our lives. Though it says little about the Paschal mystery, passion and the Eucharist, instead it’s focus is on Jesus, our Lord and Master, who getting down on his knees, lays down the clothes of his glory, wraps around his waist the towel of humility and makes himself a servant and washes the disciples' dirty feet. A sign of his service and love which unveils the mystery of his love for humanity. 

This act of cleansing offers his disciples the gift of purity, the capacity to dine with the Lord. Thus, this gift becomes a model, the duty for them to do the same for one another. Here, Jesus teaches us that it is in this spirit of purity, love and service of our brothers and sisters that we can practice the outstanding characteristic of Christian discipleship. 

Dear friends, we are encouraged to spend these three days of Easter Triduum to deepen our faith and love for God. We are called to dedicate ourselves once more to the Lord. We are called to make good use of this time to reflect on how blessed we are to have been loved by God, so much that He was willing to go through all the troubles and sufferings for our sake. Therefore, let us spend this time to reflect deeply on our personal relationship with God and discern carefully how we can begin to live our lives more faithfully and in humble service to God and humanity, just the way our Lord Jesus has shown us and his disciples today.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, We all have been recipients of your love and service in our lives, thanks for the gift of the people whom you have used to bring us close to God. Help us be of humble service to others especially in this difficult moment when people are suffering seriously. May the effort of your children who are deeply involved in the restoration of peace and stability in our families societies and the world at large not be in vain. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Holy Thursday celebration. Happy Anniversary to all the priests, do pray for us today.