Exodus 12:1-8.11-14

Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,... ‘On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock for his family: one animal for each household.... It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may choose it either from the sheep or from the goats.... Some of the blood must then be taken and put on both doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten.... That night, I shall go through Egypt and strike down all the first-born in Egypt, man and beast alike, and shall execute justice on all the gods of Egypt, I, Yahweh! The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are.... This day must be commemorated by you, and you must keep it as a feast in Yahweh’s honour. You must keep it as a feast-day for all generations; this is a decree for all time.’

I Corinthians 11:23-26

The tradition I received from the Lord and also handed on to you is that on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus look some bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke It, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this In remembrance of me.’ And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood......’

John 13:1-15

Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved those who were his in the world, loved them lo the end.... Jesus knew that the Father had put everything Into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash The. disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.... When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand,’ he said, ‘what I have done to you? You call me Mister and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’

Reflection

The liturgy of Holy Thursday commemorates, firstly, the institution of the Eucharist. During last supper (the Eucharist), Jesus says, “do this in remembrance of me.” The second event commemorated in the liturgy of today is the institution of the priesthood. The priests are ministers of God who offer worship to Him and help those in their care to approach God in praise and worship. The third event celebrated today is the greatness of humble service. Jesus offers a perfect example of humble service by washing his disciples’ feet. He does not measure the greatness of a person in terms of the servants he has, but in terms of the service he or she renders.