So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, Jesus rose from supper, and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
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 the 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.”
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 the 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 13:2-5, 12-15
The three day Liturgy of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday is one celebration of God’s Love, God’s Power, and God’s Gift. It is the celebration of the Christian person redeemed and empowered.
It is the celebration of the victory of life, goodness, beauty, and love. It is a mysterious, awesome celebration of life-giving death and resurrection.
All are invited to the Feast. All are welcome to partake of the gifts. All are asked to pray for each other at home and in our parish home that the call might be heard and responded to, and that the grace might be received and effective.
In the Love of Jesus,
Father Lenny Zamborsky
March 28, 1999
March 28, 1999
For Reflection:
Holy Thursday Liturgy has always been a favorite of mine, as if the entire Family of Believers gathers together after difficult times and takes a breather before going on with the struggle. Jesus and his disciples gather around their own family table, and we gather at the Eucharistic Table in love and thanksgiving. The Triduum Liturgy begins in an intimate family setting. The great gift of the Sacrament of Eucharist strengthens and sustains me on the journey, and constantly promises that Christ is with us always.
Am I a foot-washer? Never was the invitation to follow Jesus’s example at the Last Supper clearer and more profound then when our entire Parish Family gathered and gently and humbly washed each other’s feet on Holy Thursday. Eucharist calls us to love one another and to serve one another.
Whatever God has given you, bless it, break it, and share it. It is enough.
– Father Lenny
Morning of Reflection for Eucharistic Ministers
April 12, 2008
Your reflection reminded me of Holy Thursday, 2009, when I was flying home from an international SND conference in Rome, hoping and praying I would arrive in time for Holy Thursday Mass. I arrived just in time to join the procession to receive Communion.Wonderful as the Roman experience had been, I was so glad to be home with my parish family, in time to receive Eucharist and to participate in that moving procession to the social hall "garden"...down the candle-lined hallway, singing. I loved standing with Jesus' other disciples as we sang the beautifl Taize song, "Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray." If you would like to hear that song today, woven through a beautiful reflection on the gospel, go to the website prayasyougo.com and click on Daily Prayer.
ReplyDeleteI remember that night and was so happy to see u there st Dominic service tonight was beautiful and moving, but my mind drifted to St. Louis at times -- the dear parish that brought us together
ReplyDelete