Posted on 04/05/2007 7:05:50 PM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The cross and resurrection of Christ is a present reality that attracts us to his love, Benedict XVI said when celebrating the Mass of the Lord's Supper.
During this evening's Mass in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope reflected on the way in which the Eucharist makes the sacrifice of the cross present throughout time.
"Let's ask the Lord," the Holy Father said, "that he may help us understand more and more deeply this wonderful mystery, to love it more and more, and in it, to love him more and more."
The Pontiff spoke about the apparent contradiction between the Synoptics and the Gospel of John, as to the day of the crucifixion in relation to the sacrifice of the paschal lambs.
According to Benedict XVI, a possible solution, though not "yet accepted by everyone," came from the discovery of the Qumran writings: "Jesus did shed his blood the day before Passover at the time of the immolation of the lambs. But he probably celebrated the Passover supper with his disciples according to the Qumran calendar, that is, at least one day earlier."
During the liturgy, the Pope performed the washing of the feet, with a dozen representatives of lay associations of the Diocese of Rome.
During the presentation of the gifts, the Pontiff was presented a monetary offering which will be sent to a medical dispensary in Somalia.
Pope Benedict XVI washes the feet of a worshipper during the beginning of the Paschal Triduum Mass of the Last Supper at the St. John in Lateran Basilica in Rome April 5, 2007. Pope Benedict on Thursday washed and dried the feet of 12 men at a traditional Holy Thursday service commemorating Christ's gesture of humility to his apostles the night before he died. REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY)
On this holy night, when our Lord instituted the Eucharist, it was such a humbling experience to hear our pastor chant the words of Consecration in Aramaic - the language of Jesus Christ.
Just a word to say “Thank you” for posting this photo. We just came back from our own Holy Thursday Mass and adoration so this reminds us how united we are these days. No matter where we are in this world, we will feel ‘at home’ in the Church. Again, thank you for the photo of Benedict (as serene as ever—just looking at him helps you recollect yourself and contemplate).
Along the same lines as the title, his “Sacramentum Caritatis” (Sacrament of Love) is available on the Vatican webpage. A brilliant piece of work but, more importantly, one expressing the piety of a man of God. I highly recommend it if you want to read something substantial before Easter.
Thanks so much.
Don’t forget Divine Mercy Novena starts tomorrow.
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We just came back from our own Holy Thursday Mass and adoration so this reminds us how united we are these days. No matter where we are in this world, we will feel ‘at home’ in the Church.
What a beautiful commentary on the communal aspect of our Catholic Church. Thank you for reminding all of us. That point was driven home following the death of JPII when 5 million people streamed into the Vatican to pay their last respects to that humble servant of God. The whole world, including the Middle East, watched his funeral.
Santo Subito!
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