GRANDON

Holy 2020 Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 // I Cor 15:23-26 // :1-15

Today is Holy Thursday, also called Thursday. This is the day when ate his last meal – the Jewish meal - with his 12 Apostles. During that , Jesus established the of the , which we count as the source and summit of our Catholic experience. At the Last Supper, Jesus also established the New Covenant priesthood.

Most significantly, Jesus, the Great High Priest, humbly washed the feet of the Twelve, the very first disciples, trained and ordained to the priesthood. By the washing of the disciples’ feet, the Great High Priest demonstrated clearly that priests - then and now - are not ordained to be served by others (as is all-too-often true of secular political and business leaders). No, priests are ordained to serve others, always with a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

Jesus himself emphasized the significance of this High Priestly example: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

This explains why Fr. Hilton is so keen to offer confessions every day here at St. Vincent de Paul Church – and, also, by appointment. This is the reason Fr. Hilton offers every day – and posts it online so that all of you might tune in, to enjoy spiritual , as often as you like! And, although, since April 1, I have new responsibilities with our FOCUS missionaries and staff, both Fr. Hilton and I are committed to offering you the sacrament of , if you become sick, providing spiritual direction and doing our best to support you as much as possible with much needed encouragement.

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Mandy Thursday gets its name from the word mandatum, which means “commandment.” On this day, during the Last Supper, Jesus solemnly declared to his disciples, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” That commandment is recorded in the 13th chapter of John, verse 34 - just a few verses beyond today’s reading. With Maundy Thursday, the Church enters into the Sacred , the Sacred Three Days, leading up to Sunday, the highest Holy Day in the Church’s calendar. In between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday is that horrible day when Jesus was mocked, beaten and crucified; the day on which Jesus died - at 3:00 in the afternoon. Christians call this horrible day . Why would that be? Because, with two millennia of hindsight, we now understand that “in dying, Jesus destroyed our death.” It was on Good Friday that Jesus procured our salvation, by “once and for all” paying the penalty for our every sin.

Here’s the sobering reality: If Jesus would not have died on Good Friday … had Jesus not been raised by the Father on Easter Sunday morning … each of us would today be utterly without hope … without God … and without access to the glorious world to come!

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Now, for some additional comments, related to this difficult time in which we presently find ourselves:

On the eve of Holy Thursday, one of Jesus’ closest friends, one of the Twelve, betrayed him. St. John informs us that the very thought of this betrayal caused Jesus to be troubled in the depth of his being. Uncharacteristically, Jesus couldn’t help talking about it:

“The scripture must be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' I tell you this now, before it takes place…. Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me….” Turning to Judas, Jesus said, "What you are going to do, do quickly."

And then, John offers us this: So, after receiving the morsel, Judas immediately went out…. And it was night.

On this Maundy Thursday evening, Jesus entered his dark night of the soul…. Most years, we Catholics follow Jesus into the Sacred Triduum ceremonially. This year, God is calling us to enter Jesus’ dark night in reality – and to remain there until the darkness lifts. This year, in the most significant way, God calls upon each of us to carry the heavy weight of our common cross – up the , the Way of Suffering – until this horrible coronavirus business is behind us. It may be a very long Friday for us – a very difficult night - but always, always remember: Easter Sunday is coming, with its glorious promise of deliverance. In every parish where I’ve served, I’ve encouraged God’s people to remember: For those who place their faith in Christ, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Well, here’s a new phrase, I want you all to repeat again and again: IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Could you say it with me just now? IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!

Yes, my dear friends, this is a long and painful Friday. Nevertheless: IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!

By the way, I still firmly believe, with all my heart: For all of us who place our faith firmly in Jesus Christ, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Stay safe! Be encouraged! IT’S FRIDAY, BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME!