Homily Holy Thursday (2021)
Homily Holy Thursday (2021)
When we think of the Last Supper, we might immediately picture the fresco that Leonardo Davinci painted in a monastery refectory in Milan, Italy. One of the interesting facts about the fresco is that Davinci decided to use an experimental technique when he created the painting. Almost from the beginning the fresco started to fade. We could say that it is the same way with the Eucharist itself. From the start there has been a variety of Theologies revolving around Jesus’ final meal with his apostles. We deal with a memory that is at times a little fuzzy but is also rich in meaning.
The Eucharist that Jesus shared on the night before he died reflected the whole of Jesus’ ministry. One aspect of his ministry was that it was very tied to table fellowship. How often does he make profound statements within a meal either verbally or nonverbally? Jesus’ table fellowship was characterized by inclusion. Jesus did not seem to refuse an invitation to anyone’s house. Pharisees invited him to dine with them. Some of them admired him. Others wanted to debate with him. Tax collectors also asked him to eat with them. Righteous people were scandalized that Jesus would sit down and eat with sinners.
When we dine with someone it usually denotes friendship. We take our time with others when we dine with them. We listen to their stories. We celebrate their successes. We console them in their failures. Jesus did all that when he was at table.
Another type of meal that Jesus celebrated was the feeding of the multitude. We have several of those stories in the Gospels. Again, those meals were inclusive. Whoever was out in the countryside to hear Jesus preach was included in the meal.
Jesus issued a tough challenge at those meals. The apostles, of course, wanted to send the people away. But Jesus said bluntly, “Give them something to eat yourself.” To the surprise of the apostles, they were able to do just that. Jesus issues a similar challenge at the last supper when he says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we participate in Eucharist, we are told to feed each other.
Reflection Questions:
- Is it my responsibility to feed others at Eucharist? How can I do that?
- COVID has kept us from celebrating the Eucharist as much as we might want. Has my sacramental life suffered because of this? How might I recover?
Dear Parishioners,
The Easter celebration is a special time. As I said above. The liturgy is about inclusion. My whole priestly life I have tried to encourage people to go to Mass. This year I have had to tell people to refrain from coming if they have not signed up ahead of time or if they feel like they are at risk. I have never thought much about disease being an evil in the world. I have changed my mind after the past year. COVID has kept people away from each other on so many important occasions.
What we remember during the Triduum is that Jesus’s resurrection is a sign that Jesus has conquered sin and death. One day we all will as well. We look forward to the day when all of humanity can gather at the same table and be one as Jesus prayed that we would be. Until then we must be patient with the present situation.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark