A Reflection on Holy Thursday

Today marks the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, commemorating Our Lord's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Today is also the last Mass of the Lenten Season, making it a huge day for us Catholics. Although the liturgy is transitioning to a more somber feel, the Mass of Holy Thursday will be more joyful: not only will the priest wear white vestments, but the Gloria will be heard by all, while the bells ring one last time before Easter. After Mass, the liturgy becomes more somber. The stripping of the altar takes place to remind us of the crucifixion and death of Our Lord that is only hours away. Tomorrow, the bells will stay silent and instead, we will hear the crotalus. Before leaving the church, tonight we will "watch one hour with Me" after the Blessed Sacrament is brought to the Altar of Repose. 

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Each of the three days has a special event and today is especially special. Today IS the night of the Last Supper, the night that Our Lord gave us His Body and Blood through the Holy Eucharist and instituted the priesthood: 

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28). 

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In today's Epistle, the True Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist is explained by St. Paul: 

"For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:26-30). 

He teaches that the Eucharist IS the body of Jesus, not merely a symbol. How often do we truly love the Body and Blood of Christ? He committed the greatest sacrifice ever seen for love of us! So many times we offend Him and yet He continues to love us. Tomorrow is the day that we remember all of the pain that we caused Him- it is by our sins that He suffered so much pain. Now is the time to reflect on our little sufferings that God sends us each day; how often do we complain about them? Instead, look up to the Cross and remember how much suffering He went through to show us His love. Be silent then and offer up each suffering for love of Jesus.

-Miss K