HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY. (1)

HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY.

THEME: New Mandate.

BY: FR. GERALD M. MUSA.

The Lord’s Supper was a farewell meal, which Jesus shared with his disciples. This meal became the new Passover feast. In the 0ld Testament Passover feast, each household in Israel offered a lamb for sacrifice and applied the blood of the Lamb on the two doorposts and lintel of the house to save each household from the scourge of the angel of death (Exodus 12).

Unlike the old Passover, the new Passover is celebrated as an expression of gratitude for the Lamb of God (Jesus) who shed his blood for many. In the Old Testament, the Passover feast was celebrated once a year. The new Passover feast (the Eucharist) is celebrated always. Jesus says: Do this in remembrance of me” and St. Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23-26).

Holy Thursday (The last Thursday before Easter) is also known as Maundy Thursday because during the celebration of the Last Supper Jesus gave a new mandate (Mandatum) to his followers: “A new commandment give unto you, “That you love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Jesus translated this new mandate into action when he washed the feet of his disciples. How committed are we to translating our love into action?

Exodus 12:1-8, 1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15; Holy Thursday; YearC

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