To the End
Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:1-15 - Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
No matter how beautiful and important Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper is, it seems a bit strange to us Catholics who are so focused on the Eucharist that we wouldn’t read instead about Jesus instituting the Eucharist. There are probably a number of reasons for this, for instance we actually do cover Jesus institution of the Eucharist every Mass already during the Consecration. But there is another reason that we will focus on here. What we are doing at Mass when we read these events, is not simply remembering that Christ doing these Events, we are actually participating in these Events themselves.
When we come to Mass, or do anything Liturgical, we are mystically (spiritually) taking part in the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. In the Mass, we first encounter Christ in the reading of the Word, then we encounter Him in the Eucharist. So, reading this Gospel from the Last Supper and then receiving Christ in the Eucharist (which He institutes at the same Last Supper) is a perfect progression. We, like the disciples (actually with the disciples), take part in one part of the Last Supper, and then take part in another part of the Last Supper. It helps us understand that we are really there participating in the Life of Christ. That’s actually what we do every Mass, and we should especially pay close attention to it in these days. We are participating in Christ’s Last Supper and Agony tonight, His Passion and Death tomorrow, His Time in the Tomb Saturday, and His Resurrection on Sunday… and forever!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Thursday.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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