Readings:

Ex. 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps. 116; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Jn. 13:1-15

This evening, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Scriptures remind us of the history of salvation, which is fulfilled in Christ, who establishes the New Covenant in his own blood. Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, speaks and it happens. Just as in the beginning, God says, “Let there be light, and there was light” (Gn. 1:3), so too, when Jesus says, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 13:24) he at one and the same time institutes the Eucharist and the order of the priesthood. Do not doubt that our Blessed Lord has this power, as St. John says, “[Jesus,] fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God…” showed his disciples the true meaning of service. He shows them that before they can celebrate Eucharist, they must first wash one another’s feet. They must stoop down, bow down on their hands and knees, and show others the hospitality that was withheld from Jesus on so many occasions. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).

Holy Thursday is typically the day when the Chrism Mass is celebrated by the bishop along with all the priests of the diocese. In the Diocese of Trenton, the Chrism Mass is held on Monday of Holy Week. The reason it is called the Chrism Mass is because the Holy Oils, particularly the Sacred Chrism, is blessed and distributed to the priests to be used in the parishes throughout the year. Newly baptized Catholics are anointed with Sacred Chrism signifying a share in the three-fold mission of Jesus, who is Priest, Prophet, and King. Those who are confirmed are also anointed with Sacred Chrism, which signifies their being sealed with the Holy Spirit. Lastly, those men ordained to the priesthood have their hands anointed by Sacred Chrism consecrating them to know what they are doing and to imitate what they handle, namely to know and imitate Christ.

The other oils used throughout the year are the Oil of Catechumens, which is used for the protection of unbaptized persons as they make their journey to full initiation into the Catholic Church, and the Oil of the Infirm used for the anointing of the sick. The Holy Oils are entrusted to the priest for use in the various ministries, from welcoming, to baptizing and confirming, and to bring healing graces to the sick or those nearing the end of their earthly life. These oils were presented today by those to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. It is proper for them to present these gifts that will soon be used for the benefit of their souls too.

During the Chrism Mass, the priests of the diocese also renew our priestly promises to be more united with Jesus and closely conformed to him, and to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and other liturgical rites. The bishop then told us to be mindful of the words we speak—that the people of God often listen to our words as though the words of Christ. We minister in persona Christi capitis, in the person of Christ who is our head. When we speak the words of institution over the bread and wine, it is Christ who speaks through us; when we say the words of absolution, it is Christ forgiving through us; when we listen to those who struggle, it is Christ who hears and comforts others through us. The bishop also told us to have hearts after the heart of our Lord, to love as Jesus loves. As he said to his disciples this very night: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn. 15:13). The priest sacrifices having a wife or children so that he may be the spiritual father of his congregation. Lastly, our bishop told us to be mindful of our hands—the hands that were consecrated the day of our ordination to carry out the ministry of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. I encourage all of us to pay close attention to the priest’s hands, especially during the Eucharistic Prayer. Listen for the references to hands, for example, when Jesus takes bread in his holy and venerable hands. Indeed Jesus’ whole body was consecrated to the Lord, but by nature of ordination, the priest’s hands are set apart for this most august of occasions, to confect the Eucharist, whereby Jesus becomes truly and substantially present to us by the grace of God.

On this Holy Thursday evening, the Scriptures bid us to remember—to remember the way in which the Lord delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; how the Lord passed over those who placed the blood of the lamb on their door posts; how that sacrifice was to be made every year as a perpetual institution; how keeping the feast of Passover was a reminder of man’s place in a Universe created by Almighty God; and in these last days, how God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

On this solemn evening, we not only hear the history of salvation, we see it in action before our very eyes. In a few moments, I will be washing the feet of our parishioners, modeling for our community what Jesus modeled for his disciples. In the Person of Jesus, we see how God does not abandon his people, but seeks them out. Jesus ate with them, celebrated with them, healed them, delivered them from evil spirits, forgave their sins, and even washed their feet. Do not be shocked like St. Peter who says to Jesus, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” In Peter’s mind this type of service was beneath Jesus, but Jesus shows him that it is not beneath him, but rather the very reason for which he has been sent.

Jesus becomes for his disciples, and the whole world, the one True Sacrifice of God. He offers himself completely in expiation for sins. There is no greater sacrifice nor will there ever be a sacrifice greater than that of Jesus on the Cross. The psalmist says, “How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.” This evening, we all take up the cup of salvation; this evening, we all receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Blessed Lord, who is the way and the truth and the life. May our celebration of this Mass of the Lord’s Supper be for us a true remembrance of the sacrifice of our Blessed Lord and the many gifts we receive by his grace.