Day 44 - Thursday of Holy Week - St John Lateran

Today we enter into the Sacred Triduum, the three-part drama of Redemption: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." Maundy from the Latin mandatum or commandment — the first word of the Gospel acclamation in Latin: Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos. These are the words Jesus spoke to the disciples during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, just after He finished washing their feet. "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another."

Today we see the institution of two of the sacraments — of course, the Eucharist, but also, that of Holy Orders, the beginning of a new order of priesthood. There is not a stational Mass today in the same sense as we have been accustomed over the past few weeks. Only two Masses are allowed today, and they are specifically designated Masses, the Chrism Mass in the morning, and the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the evening. These two Masses are especially poignant when experienced at St John Lateran. Remember that this was the first Christian cathedral, and that carved into the front wall, between the main entrance doors, of this ancient basilica are the words Sacrosancta Lateranensis ecclesia omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput, which translated, reads "Most Holy Lateran Church, of all the churches in the city and the world, the mother and head." (see photo below)

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AInscription_Ecclesiarum_Mater_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-07.jpg© Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons

We remember that this is a papal basilica, the station for the First Sunday in Lent, chosen for its grandeur as the Cathedral of Rome, to symbolize the glorious first earthly victory of our Lord — over temptation. Today at this station, we join Him at the beginning of the Triduum of His last earthly victory, and, of course, His eternal victory as well. Remember that this church was originally dedicated to Christ the Saviour, and later co-dedicated to St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist.

Right: St. John the Evangelist by Rusconi

by Jastrow - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_2006-09-7.jpg

Below: St. John, the Baptist by Johannes der Taufer

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARom%2C_Basilika_San_Giovanni_in_Laterano%2C_Hl._Johannes_der_T%C3%A4ufer_2.jpgBy Dnalor 01 (Own work)

How appropriate that these two Johns should be the stational saints for today! John the Baptist, in a very dramatic way, as the last prophet of the Old Covenant, was the first actor in the initiation of the New Covenant, as it is he who baptized Jesus. Also, very significant, St John the Evangelist was at first the disciple of John the Baptist, but at the Baptism of Jesus, left John the Baptist to follow Jesus, a passing of the baton in the relay of the Gospel story. It is then John the Evangelist who, becoming the beloved disciple, the last of the apostles to be alive at the end of the first century, and of course, the one at whose hand we receive the record of the Revelation of Jesus Christ at the end of time, allows us to see the end of the Gospel story and the final and eternal victory of Our Lord. So Sts John and John serve in a very special way as a pericope, or set of "bookends" in the Gospel story, delineating the ministry of Jesus, from its initiation at the Baptism, to its completion in Eternal Victory. How blessed are we that Our Lord has given us this insight to his entire and eternal plan! How we treasure these two saints, these friends who are our guides, now as we enter the Triduum.

LENTCAzT 2017 44 Holy Thursday [ 4:59 ]

Pope Francis blessing the chrism

Photo from Vatican Radio

As we mentioned before, only two Masses are allowed on this unique day, as we are poised for the drama of the Triduum. First, we will explore the Chrism Mass, usually celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday. During this Mass, two significant events take place in addition to the celebration of the Eucharist, the blessings of the oils, and the renewal of the promises made by priests on the day of their ordination.

One of the oils to be blessed is chrism, from which the name of the Mass is taken, a fragranced oil which only a bishop can consecrate, and which is used during baptisms, confirmations and the ordinations of priests and bishops. In other words, chrism is used in all of the sacraments which leave an indelible mark on the soul, changing the soul forever. Chrism is also used during the dedication and consecration of churches and altars. The other oils blessed at this Mass are the oil of catechumens, used for infant baptisms and in some of the preparatory rites for catechumens preparing for baptism, and the oil of the sick, used in the anointing of the sick.

After the homily, all the priests stand to renew the promises they made on their ordination day. Every Catholic should attend a Chrism Mass at least once, as it is a powerful and moving experience to witness these men renew their pledge of their lives and their love to Jesus and his Church!

“The oils, traditionally consecrated on the birthday of the priesthood, help us see the connection between the priesthood, easily understood as connected to the Eucharist, and the celebration of the other sacraments. Having people who represent the charism of each oil carry it, as part of the entrance procession at Mass, such as a youth receiving the sacrament of confirmation carrying the chrism, a couple expecting a child to process in with the oil of catechumens, and a healthcare worker bringing up the oil of the sick, helps to demonstrate the powerful reality of these sacraments and of the blessings that are imposed on the oil. These sacraments are not just symbolic. They affect people’s lives in radical ways. Sometimes a seminarian preparing for ordination to the priesthood carries in the perfume, usually balsam, that will be mixed with the chrism to give it its special fragrance.

Each oil is blessed during a different part of the Mass. The oil of the sick, is blessed within the context of the Eucharistic Prayer, demonstrating the connection between the sick and the offering of the Sacrifice. Through the anointing of the sick, they are strengthened to offer up their own sacrifices in union with the Sacrifice of Calvary, made sacramentally present on the altar.

Pope Benedict blowing on the Chrism in 2010

CNS photo/Paul Haring

At the consecration of the chrism, the Pope (or the bishop of each diocese), pours the special fragrance into the oil and then blows on it. Just as God the Father blew upon the waters of the earth at the time of Creation, the Church sees this image as symbolic of God re-creating the world in Christ, elevating the broken world up into divine life, and filling it with His own divine grace.

Mass of the Lord's Supper:

The celebration of a Mass in the evening of Holy Thursday began in Jerusalem in the late fourth-century, where it became traditional to celebrate the events of the Passion of Jesus in the places where they actually occurred. In Rome at that time a Reconciliation Mass was celebrated to prepare penitents for participation in the Easter celebrations. The custom of Jerusalem had spread by the seventh-century, and in Rome the Pope celebrated a Mass of the Lord's Supper as well as the Mass of Reconciliation. By the eighth century, a third Mass was added for blessing the holy oils.
The washing of feet was first recommended on Holy Thursday in 694 by the Council of Toledo. By the twelfth century it was traditional for Holy Thursday, but as a separate service as part of the Liturgy f the Hours, and not part of the Mass. In Pope Pius XII's revision of the Mass in 1955 it was inserted into the Mass proper.
Today, the Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated in the evening because the Passover began at sundown. The Liturgy of the Mass is distinctive, recalling the Last Supper, which includes the Washing of the Feet after the homily.

Pope Benedict in 2012, washing the feet of a priest during the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Arch-basilica of St John Lateran.

CNS/Stefano Spaziani

If we recall the scriptural reference to the washing of the feet, this was to be a special witness to Jesus' New Commandment that we love one another. From John 13 we read:

"And rising from supper, He laid aside His garments, and having taken a towel, girded Himself. After that, He put water in a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel . . . He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus answered, What I do, you do not understand now, but you will understand hereafter. Peter said to him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I don't wash you, you will have no part with me . . . Then after He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and sat down again, he said to them, Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you should do also."

The Last Supper was also the First Mass, and at this Mass, Jesus ordained his 12 disciples as apostles and priests, the institution of Holy Orders in the New Covenant. He washed their feet to remind them of his willingness to serve, and to emphasize the importance of service in their new roles as priests and apostles. Traditionally, this foot-washing was done at Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Maundy Thursday in cathedrals and monasteries, where the bishop or abbot would wash the feet of 12 of his priests, symbolizing this great sacrament of Holy Orders being initially given to the 12 apostles, a fellowship steeped in the mystery of the Lord.

The foot-washing itself was never considered a sacrament of its own, but a remembrance of baptism which joins the believer to the Body of Christ, and in particular, entering into "the fellowship of his suffering" by the priest who gives his all to the Church in the service of the Lord. The image is one of heartfelt service of the shepherd to his under-shepherds. It was Pope Gregory I (the Great) who first used the phrase, "Servant of the servants of God." All popes since his day in the 6th/7th century, have adopted this phrase. (Even those who were unfortunately really not the servants of anyone!) There is also evidence that in the early church new believers received foot washing sometime during the week following their baptism and confirmation or chrismation. This ritual was separated from baptism and confirmation so that it would not appear to be another sacrament, but simply a sign of fellowship and service.

Today it has become popular to wash the feet of all sorts of people, sometimes of those who are not even believers. While it is certainly not a bad thing to serve others, including those outside the Church, this changes considerably the message of Jesus, and of the early Christians. The washing of the feet of fellow Christians, was to be a special witness of the love that members of the Church had for one another. This became the attribute of the early Church which was so distinctive, which, by the 4th century, was the single most noted characteristic of Christians in the Roman world — their love for one another. The Christians by that time had achieved what Christ had foretold to His deisciples: "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Here is a nice article if you would like to read more about the Foot-washing Ritual

Now returning to the Mass of the Lord's Supper:

During the Mass, the pax, or peace, is not given as usual, remembering the treacherous kiss of peace, which Judas used on this day to betray his Divine Master into the hands of His enemies. Sufficient hosts are consecrated during the Mass for the faithful to receive Communion both at that Mass and on the next day, Good Friday. The hosts intended for the Good Friday service are not placed in the tabernacle, as is usual, but are left on the altar, while the priests says the postcommunion prayer. After the Communion Prayer, there is no final blessing.

Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose during the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Arch-basilica of St John Lateran

The Holy Eucharist is carried in procession through Church to be transferred to an Altar of Repose in another location, while the hymn Pange Lingua is traditionally sung. After the Mass, the Agony in the Garden, and the arrest and imprisonment of Jesus is recalled. The altar is stripped bare, and all crosses are removed or covered. The removal of all altar linen recalls the event at the foot of the Cross, during which all Jesus' clothing was divided by the soldiers (from Psalm 21 - They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment). The state of desolation in which the sacred places are now left, is a forcible reminder of the sense of abandonment in which Christ passed the time of his Passion. The churches are open until at least midnight for silent adoration, to answer Christ's invitation "Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?" (Matt 26:40).

Pope Francis, in his general audience on April 1, 2015 said: "For a 'good Easter,' Christians must do more than simply recall the Passion of Jesus during Holy Week; they must 'enter into the mystery' of the Easter Triduum and make Jesus' feelings and attitudes their own." May we accept his challenge, and truly enter into the Mystery. Saints John and John, pray for us, that we may succeed in this.

Above: Pope Benedict carries the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose - Arch-Basilica of St John Lateran 2008

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii232/TERESA7_album/0320-CENA-ADD1.jpg

Above: Altar of Repose in St John Lateran

There are no collect churches for the Triduum.

Tomorrow for Good Friday, we will travel a few blocks to Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where so many of the relics of the Passion reside.

Watch and pray . . . . .

Videos of Gethsemane - First. one is only the garden, the second one is of the general area and includes Mary's Tomb and other Holy sites.

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