Meditation: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

They shall eat its roasted flesh. (Exodus 12:8)

At the first Passover, God told the Israelites to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and spread its blood over the doorposts of their homes. That way, they would be protected from the angel of death. But God also told them to roast the lamb’s flesh and eat it for dinner.

We are familiar with the idea of the blood protecting the people from death, but why did they have to eat the roasted lamb? Was it just a ceremonial practice? Or was there something more?

Scripture offers us an answer. God tells the Israelites, “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight” (Exodus 12:11). In other words, eat as one ready to go on a journey.

The night of the Passover was only the beginning of the story for the Israelites. The Promised Land was miles and miles away—and through a harsh desert, no less. God gave them the lamb to sustain them on their journey. Without that food, they would not have been able to make even the first leg of the trip. Their deliverance would have been a hollow victory if they didn’t have strength for the days ahead.

Like the Israelites, we too are on a long journey and need strength and nourishment. Thank God he has given us the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus, to sustain us! He knows we can’t make this journey by relying on our own strength, so he has given us nothing less than the bread of angels!

Tonight begins the Easter Triduum. All around the world, churches will be filled with believers reliving Jesus’ final hours. What better way to begin this observance than by receiving Jesus as the bread for our journey? So at Mass tonight, let’s celebrate what Jesus did for us. But more than that, let’s come to Communion grateful that we don’t have to go through this life feeling weak and weary. Through his Body and Blood, Jesus is with us to sustain us and strengthen us. He is with us to guide us and encourage us. He is in us to empower us to do great things for him along the way.

“Jesus, you are the Lamb of God and the Bread of Life. With you, I will never go hungry.”

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15

A Christian Pilgrim

THE WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES’ FEET – HOLY THURSDAY

13 Apr

So when He had washed their feet [and] put His garments back on and reclined at table again, He said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call Me ‘teacher’ and ‘master’, and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (John 1:12-15 NAB)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, so often I want to do something for You, to declare my love for You in deeds. But right now, I will sit quietly and let You love me. Dear Jesus, come and wash my feet. Let me Know Your love. Amen.