Holy Thursday

Tonight, we as Christians, arrive at the point in our journey of Holy Week where we gather around the table. Together we commemorate and remember a meal shared, not only by Jesus and his disciples on the night before he died but shared by our ancestors for generations. And we are reminded of our call to not only continue to gather as a community, but to go out into the world and share communion with those who are in pain, those who are lost, those who are forgotten.

If we needed another reminder of our call to serve others, we find it in tonight’s reading from John’s gospel. Once again, as he had done often during his ministry on earth, Jesus surprises everyone. No one expected this man they had come to know as a prophet, their teacher, their master, their lord, to wrap a towel around his waist, kneel before each of them and washed their feet. In washing someone else’s feet, the servant leader is not only reminded of his or her own humanity, but of the humanity of the other, the one whose feet lie in a basin before them.

Jesus, An Example of Humility

His example shows us how to live. He tells us “You too ought to wash one another’s feet.” Our Eucharist is the place from which He sends us out to wash the feet of others, figuratively at least. Genuine Eucharistic piety leads to actual service of others. We must follow His example both at the altar of the Eucharist and at the altar of life. Thus, you and I have become part of that mystery; for when we celebrate the Eucharist as an Assembly of God, it is Christ himself who celebrates. The Priest, the members and indeed the words of the celebration are part of the same event, the same mystery. It is a high privilege to be part of the celebration.

I invite you to surrender to this mystery and avail yourself the opportunity of being in it and part of it. No better blessing on earth could we find, except at the Eucharist. Holy Thursday is the unique day of this mystery. In St John’s understanding of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet it was part of what He meant by doing this in memory of me.

[Readings: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21]

Fr. Nnaemeka Paschal Ajuka

Fr. Nnaemeka Paschal Ajuka, PhD., BCC., ACPE Certified Educator Candidate, is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Nigeria, and a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). He is a retreat preacher who loves his faith. As a sociologist, he cherishes and operates from the vertical and horizontal relationships with God and neighbor. He takes Saint Francis of Assisi’s prayer for peace “Lord make me an Instrument of Peace,” as his ministry mission statement. He is a care provider who meets human needs without discrimination. He has been actively involved in the pastoral ministry in parishes in Nigeria and in the US. Previously, he was an adjunct lecturer at Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary Umuahia and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Currently, he is a Certified Educator Candidate with the Department of Chaplaincy Services and Education, University of California Health, Davis, Sacramento.

1 Comment

  1. Chanele Jackson on April 14, 2022 at 9:04 am

    A wonderful commentary and teaching on why we participate in and celebrate Holy Thursday. My heart is moved and my spirit rejoices in the love of God, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit! Praise God!

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