In the Eucharistic Christ enters our lives to set us free

Ex. 12:1-8.11-14, 1 Cor. 11:23-26, Jn 13:1-15. The Priests gather around their respective shepherds at the Chrism Mass to renew their vows and commitment to the Lord. At this Mass, the blessing and the consecration of the holy oils are done: the Oil of the Catechumens used to mark the catechumens, the Oil of the Sick used in the Sacrament of the Sick and lastly the Holy Chrism used for Baptism and Confirmation, Ordination of those called to the Holy Orders and in the Consecration and Dedication of Churches and Altars, to mark as sacred, holy and worthy all those that had been set aside for Divine worship and purpose. God has sent His Beloved Son to our midst so that through Him He might gather us and being our High Priest, He might offer for us, the perfect and most worthy offering and sacrifice for the atonement of our sins.

That is what we celebrate starting this evening with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Institution of the Sacred Priesthood, that is foreshadowed in the Chrism Mass we begin the “Triduum”. The “Triduum” is the most solemn and important three days of the ecclesiastical year, as these days celebrate in solemn and dramatic fashion the “Hour of Glory” of Jesus – His giving of Himself, agony, suffering, death and resurrection. The Last Supper was celebrated in the context of the Jewish Passover meal and tonight’s first reading explains the meaning of this feast. In words and symbols it recalled the greatest saving act of God in the Old Testament, the exodus from Egypt, setting God’s people free from slavery. It opens us up to the idea that God enters our lives to set us free from whatever oppresses us and to a life of service. Today’s Gospel implies that we are united with Jesus by letting Him wash our feet, accepting His great act of loving service. Having accepted the gift we must embrace it as a value to practice in our lives. We must live like Jesus, “for” God and others. There is a close link between Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and then their going on to wash the feet of others in the future. If the Eucharist is the place where the Lord washes our feet, our daily life should become a place we can wash the feet of others. True Eucharistic piety must lead to service of others. Jesus who broke the bread of the Eucharist also washed the feet of His disciples. We must follow His example at the Altar of the Eucharist and at the Altar of life.

May the Lord grant us true spirit of service and renew the Priests with His abiding presence! Amen!! Happy Priestly Anniversary to us!!!