Holy Thursday is one of the most incredibly special and solemn days in the Christian year, acting as the powerful gateway to the Easter Triduum (the three holiest days that lead to Easter). It's the day we remember Jesus' Last Supper with His Apostles, an intimate meal where He gave us two of the greatest gifts: the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood.
Imagine the scene in a private, quiet room in Jerusalem, often called the Upper Room. Jesus and His twelve closest friends, the Apostles, were gathered for their Passover meal. The atmosphere was charged with deep meaning, knowing this was their last meal together before His suffering began. But before they even began to eat, Jesus did something utterly shocking and unexpected. He rose from the table, took off His outer robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and then, to the astonishment of His disciples, He knelt down and began to wash their feet. In those dusty times, roads were dirty, and people's feet would be covered in grime. Washing feet was the dirtiest, lowest job, usually done only by the lowest servant or even a slave in the household. For their Lord and Teacher to perform such a task was truly radical. This incredible act of humble service wasn't just about clean feet; it was a powerful, living lesson. Jesus was showing them that true leadership in God's Kingdom isn't about being bossy or powerful in a worldly way. Instead, genuine authority and authentic love are shown through selfless service to others, even when it's humble, difficult, or "below" you. After washing their feet, Jesus told them, "Love one another as I have loved you." He was commanding them to follow His example of serving others with deep, selfless love.
Then, during that very same Last Supper, Jesus completely transformed the ancient Jewish Passover meal. This was the yearly meal where Jewish families remembered how God had used the blood of a lamb to save their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. But Jesus, the true "Lamb of God," was about to become the new and eternal sacrifice. He took the ordinary bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to His Apostles, saying with profound meaning, "This is my body, which is given for you." Then, He took the cup of wine, again gave thanks, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." He was establishing the Holy Eucharist (what Catholics often call Holy Communion or the Mass). He wasn't just giving them a symbol or a memory; He was truly giving His very Body and Blood to be real, spiritual food. This moment was Him guaranteeing His Real Presence – promising that He would truly be present under the appearance of bread and wine, remaining with His people, nourishing them, and being truly there until the end of time. And by telling His Apostles, "Do this in remembrance of me," Jesus also gave them (and their successors through history, the priests) the special power to continue to make His Body and Blood present for all believers in the Eucharist. This is how the priesthood was instituted.
By saying, “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus also was commanding his Apostles and us to participate in the Eucharist as often as possible. This is why going to Mass each Sunday is essential. If we fail to go to Mass and enter into relationship with Jesus, we cannot get truly close to Him.
Holy Thursday, therefore, is a day overflowing with Jesus' profound love and generosity – a day of humble service, a new covenant, and the incredible, ongoing gift of His real presence among us in the Eucharist, all just hours before He would offer His ultimate sacrifice on Good Friday.
Scripture Passages:
John 13:4-5, 14-15: "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him... Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
Matthew 26:26-28: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'"
Luke 22:41-42: "He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.'"
Reflection Questions:
What is the significance of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, and what does it teach us about leadership?
How does the Last Supper connect the Passover to the Eucharist?
Explain the significance of the phrase Jesus shares at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Multiple Choice Questions:
According to the text, what was the primary lesson Jesus was teaching by washing His disciples' feet?
a) That they should always keep their feet clean.
b) That true leadership in God's Kingdom is shown through selfless, humble service to others.
c) That servants are the most important people.
d) That they should never let a stranger do a humble job for them.
During the Last Supper, what did Jesus do to the bread and wine?
a) He used them as symbols to remind them of His future sacrifice.
b) He transformed them into His true Body and Blood.
c) He told them to eat the meal in their own homes.
d) He promised to make the bread and wine last forever.
The Last Supper is connected to the Jewish Passover meal because Jesus, the "Lamb of God," was about to become what?
a) A great earthly king.
b) The new and eternal sacrifice.
c) A new type of high priest.
d) A leader for a new army.
By telling His apostles, "Do this in remembrance of me," Jesus gave us the command to:
a) Institute the creation of schools.
b) Start a new prayer group.
c) Receive the Eucharist and go to Mass.
d) Judge others