Today's Gospel - April 5, 2012 Holy Thursday with Reflection

HOLY THURSDAY

1ST READING - Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14  P S A L M - Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 R: Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. 2ND READING - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you. John 13:1-15 1 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. 2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, 3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” 10 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.” 11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back onand reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

SABBATH

THE THREE PASSOVERS There are three celebrations of the Passover in John’s Gospel. The first is at the wedding in Cana (2:13) with the miracle of the wine; the second is at the multiplication of the loaves (6:4); and the third one is here, as we are about to enter into the Passion of Jesus. What does this tell us about the author’s intention? We will never really know, but it seems that he wants to frame Jesus’ life and ministry within the context of the Passover celebration because he sees Jesus as the new Paschal Lamb, sacrificed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. There is no Last Supper in John’s Gospel because Jesus Himself is the sacrificed paschal or Passover lamb. The two leading Passovers highlight the elements that are central to the Eucharistic celebration, namely the bread and wine. It is quite clear that there is an abundance of these elements such that the people are not about to go thirsty or hungry. John specifically tells us that he considers Jesus to be the new Passover lamb (1:36) and that the sacrifice of His life will be enough to redeem all people. Furthermore, we need to understand that the author of John’s Gospel is very well-versed in Jewish practice. The Passover imagery is very important in understanding the Gospel. It presents Jesus as the New Lawgiver and that it is in following, abiding, surrendering and living in the truth of His personal witness that we will be faithful disciples. It is necessary for us to understand the Jewish mindset as this gives us a deeper appreciation of the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Passover lamb is without blemish, just as Jesus is without sin. The element of service is important also in that true leadership is expressed precisely in one’s willingness and commitment to lay down his life for the sake of the faithful community. How many of us are ready to die for others? Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is the biggest challenge that you are facing in your life today? Can you break it down into smaller pieces? Holy Spirit, help me to surrender to God’s will and live it to the full. Help me to share my faith with others. St. Vincent Ferrer, priest, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.