HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY. (3)

HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY.

THEME: SERVING IN LOVE AND GRACE.

BY: Fr. Karabari Paul.

“He loved them to the end”

At the Last Supper, John’s gospel tells us today that Jesus sat down and washed the disciples’ feet. It was a horrible task, after having walked the dusty streets all day in sandals, and it was usually done by the lowest servant of the household. The disciples must have been shocked to see their leader doing such a lowly, disgusting job. Peter even tried to protest. The minuteness with which every action of Our Lord is related is striking, for no less than seven distinct actions are mentioned: rising, laying His garments aside, taking a towel, putting it about Him, pouring water, washing the feet, wiping with a towel.

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But Jesus told them, ‘Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow’ (John 13:14-15). He had taught humility by precept, “He that humble himself shall be exalted”; by parable, as in the story of the Pharisee and Publican; by example, as when He took a child in His arms; and now by condescension. This is the summary of His incarnation. Rising up from the Heavenly Banquet in intimate union of nature with the Father, He laid aside the garments of His glory, wrapped about His Divinity the towel of human nature which He took from Mary; poured the laver of regeneration which is His Blood shed on the Cross to redeem men and began washing the souls of His disciples and followers.

The disciples are motionless, lost in mute astonishment. When humility comes from the God-man as it does here, it is obvious that it will be through humility that men will go back to God. Peter found it hard to accept the humiliation the cross demanded. He had rebuked the cross before; now he rebuked the example of humiliation that led to the cross. Our Lord went on to tell Peter that a refusal to accept Divine cleansing is exclusion from intimacy with Him. Not to understand that Divine love means sacrifice was to separate himself from the Master.

Think about those disciples – there was Peter, who would deny knowing Jesus; Thomas, who would doubt Him; Judas, who would betray Him; and all the others, who would desert Him in His time of need. But that didn’t stop Jesus. He was encouraging them to treat others with the same grace, humility and forgiveness that He was showing them by washing their feet. It didn’t mean He endorsed their sins. It didn’t make it okay for Peter to deny Him, or Judas to betray Him, and so on.

When we receive God’s grace, it doesn’t mean He is turning a blind eye to our mistakes. And when we follow Jesus’ example and show grace to others, it doesn’t mean we are unaware of the damage and pain that their sins have caused. Instead, grace chooses to see God’s forgiveness even more. Where there is no grace, bitterness grows. But where grace is abundant, forgiveness grows. So let us work towards developing a Christlike character by showing grace to everyone we meet, whatever the circumstances. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. Through the merit of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may you experience household experience peace, blessing and lasting joy this month through the same Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.

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