Holy Thursday This Feast solemnly commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist and of the Holy Orders.

Institution of the Eucharist At supper, Jesus took the bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it and gave it to His apostles saying, “This is my Body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” After supper, He took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.” Don’t rush off and move on to the next slide. Spend the next 10 minutes here with the Lord. Enter into the Sacred and Solemn Event. To begin, (close your eyes) try to imagine yourself present at the scene of the upper room; – see, hear, touch, smell, taste... the event. Ask the Holy Spirit to “bring” you into the scene. Participate in the scene in a personal way. After (10 minutes) recall what happened. Did you feel the closeness of God within you? Praying with Sacred Scriptures: “Contemplation” of the Gospel scene Last Supper (Lk 22,19-20).

Maundy Thursday: The term “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum which means “commandment,” and this in turn means: “to give,” “to entrust,” or “to order.” What are we as Christians “commanded to give, entrust and order”others? Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, love one another just as I have loved you.” (Jn.13,34) Eucharist of our Lord’s Supper (*Deepen your appreciation of Maundy Thursday’s celebration) This celebration is in the evening because the Passover is at sundown. In this Eucharist, we recall the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. The beautiful liturgy re-enacts the “washing of the feet”of Jesus (Jn 13). The hymn “Ubi Caritas/Where Charity and love prevails” is usually sung at this time. As we begin to recall the agony and arrest of Jesus, the joyful mood changes; the altar is stripped bare, crosses are removed and covered. The Holy Eucharist is carried in procession to a side chapel for adoration, a custom that recalls what the Lord said, “Could you then not watch one hour with me?” (Mt 26,40)

Imitation of Christ: Humility and Servanthood After washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus said : “If I, then, the Lord Master, have washed your feet; you should wash each other’s feet.”

By humility, Our Lord was divine, yet He freely chose to become one like us in all things but sin. (Phil.2,6-7) We need to learn to accept ourselves as we are, yet strive to be more Christlike, as we “die to ourselves” and put the needs of others first. By service, If our love for Our Lord and our desire to imitate Him is genuine, then we must learn to “see the face of Christ in others.” And as we recognise Him in others, especially those who are sick, needy, in pain we must then also “reach” out to them as mediators of Christ’ compassionate love.

Let us pray : Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gift of the Eucharist to the Church. Through the gift of Yourself in the Eucharist, I am now nourished spiritually on my earthly journey towards Your Fathers’ eternal Home. As I undertake this earthly journey, may I strive to imitate Your Humility and Service; even to the point of laying down my life for the sake and the salvation of all peoples regardless of their rank, race and religion. Lord Jesus, with You within me, especially in the Holy Eucharist, I know nothing is impossible if I want to serve You. So, Lord, may I never let You and Your people down. And if I should, may I persevere till the end. Amen. If you are still not on our mailing list, us at : If you already are, then please forward this to all your friends for a daily Gospel e-message written by Fr Philip Heng, SJ