DAILY- HOMILY

March 29, 2018 - MAUNDY THURSDAY

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Ex 12: 1- 8, 11-14 / 1 Cor 11: 23- 26 / Jn 13: 1 -15

[Chrism Mass: Is 61: 1- 3a, 8b- 9 / Rev 1: 5 - 8 / Lk 4: 16 - 21]

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Ex 12: 14

This is a day you are to remember and celebrate in honor of Yahweh. It is to be kept as a festival day for all generations forever.

FROM THE 2ND READING:            1 Cor 11: 23- 26

This is the tradition of the Lord that I received and that in my turn I have handed on to you; the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was delivered up, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying, "This is my body which is broken for you; do this in memory of me." In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, he said, "This cup is the new Covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do it in memory of me." So, then, whenever you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Jn 13: 3 - 15

Jesus knew that the Father had entrusted all things to him, and as he had come from God, he was going to God. So he got up from table, removed his garment and taking a towel, wrapped it around his waist.. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.

When he came to Simon Peter, Simon said to him, "Why, Lord, you want to wash my feet!" Jesus said, "What I am doing you cannot understand now, but afterwards you will understand it." Peter replied, "You shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you can have no part with me.: Then Simon Peter said, "Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus replied, "Whoever has taken a bath does not need to wash (except the feet), for he is clean all over. You are clean, though not all of you."...

When Jesus had finished washing their feet, he put on his garment again, went back to the table and said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also must wash one another's feet. I have just given you an example that, as I have done, you also may do."

REFLECTION

As we come to the end of Lent, we begin the Sacred Triduum, the high holy days of the Christian liturgical year when we remember and celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Holy Thursday calls us to remember: we remember the institution of the Eucharist; we remember the institution of the Priesthood; and we remember the call to Christian service and discipleship.

Today we gather at the Lord's table to partake of Jesus' body and blood. And we do this as St. Paul reminds us, "whenever you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes." (1 Cor 11: 26) We also remember the institution of the priesthood: we hear Jesus giving his disciples a new status, similar to the priests in the Old Testament.

And, more importantly, Jesus gives his disciples a model that they and all believers are to follow. And Jesus does this by doing something truly shocking to people of first century Israel. When travelers or guests came to someone's house, they were always offered water for them to wash their feet and the washing was usually done by servants. For Jesus, their teacher and Master, to himself get down on his knees and wash the disciples' feet was truly unheard of and scandalous.

The disciples were shocked, unnerved by Jesus, their Master, washing their feet.

Peter especially struggled with this and initially refused, though, with Jesus' guidance, he eventually allowed his feet to be washed by Jesus, even if he did not fully understand what Jesus was doing and teaching: "Then Simon Peter said, 'Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!' " (Jn 13: 9) It is a model and a lesson of discipleship and a great example of Christian love and service that can guide how we live our daily lives.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Maricris B. Arrogancia

     John Matthew Cheng

     Jerome F. Mamano

     Kristan Jela Tambio

     Jose Eos Trinidad

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Augusto D. Lao

     Ase!a So Sy (07 Dec 1920 - 29 Mar 2005)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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