Jesus washing his disciplines’ feet during the last supper. He taught through action in this act of humility and service.

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:15).”

Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to them the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin.

Peter begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head!

 

 

At evening, begin Easter Triduum of the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection

CHRISM MASS:

1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9

2nd Reading: Revelation 1:5-8

Gospel: Luke 4:16-21

 

EVENING MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER:

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

 

Ps 89:21-22, 25, 27 Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊   

John 13:1-15

It was before the feast of the Passover. Jesus realized that his hour had come, to pass from this world to the Father; and as he had loved those who were his own in the world, he would love them with perfect love.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put into the mind of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray him. 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 the 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 asked him, "Why, Lord, do 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." Jesus knew who was to betray him; because of this he said, "Not all of you are clean."

 

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 given you an example, that as I have done, you also may do.

  

Gospel Reflection ：

"Love-mandate.

Today is Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum which means "commandment." Today, we ponder on Jesus' new commandment which is love-mandate. As Christians, we are mandated that we love one another as Jesus has loved us.

 

And now, we are reminded of Jesus' words when he said that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for others (cf. Jn. 15:13). Hence, Jesus has set an example not merely to dramatize the event of the feet-washing but to truly live up to the challenge of laying down our lives for one another.

 

The putting off and putting on of Jesus' garment also symbolizes the giving up and taking up of Jesus' life. No one can take Jesus' life away from him but he can give it up. It is a decision. As we enter the Paschal Triduum, let us recommit ourselves to making decisions as our concrete responses to Jesus' mandate.