Holy Thursday Reflections

CLICK HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of
April 9th, 2020.  Holy Thursday of the Lord's Supper.

CLICK HERE for the Readings of April 9th, 2020.  Holy Thursday of the Lord's Supper.

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Holy Thursday of the 2020 Liturgical Calendar is April 9th, 2020.

 

...as I have done for you, you should also do. 
John 13: 15

Self-service is no service 

We are in a moment of trial; and times like these bring out the best and the worst in people. I will speak about the former:  Don Giuseppe Bertarelli, a 72 year old Italian priest chose to give up his ventilator to save the life of a younger person. He died on March 15th.

We have all seen the images of nurses and doctors in hospitals, risking their own lives and the lives of their families.  I know of a family that just lost a mother and an uncle and there is only the youngest who is negative.  She is helping all her siblings and father who are all sick. 

Putting the interest of others, being selfless is really what can make us humans.  But often, we reject or shy away from this.  Yet, isn’t this what a husband and wife seek to live out every day. Isn’t this what marks a good leader or a saint for us?   A good trusted friend?  This virtue is what we look for and respect in others.
Holy Thursday has deep roots in selflessness, a call to service and putting the interest of others first.  The Eucharist and the sacrament of Holy Orders, which were instituted by Christ at his Last Supper, are anchored and formed in self-sacrifice. 

The First reading from Exodus that we listen today, revolves around the Feast of Passover.  What was this feast about?  It reminded them of when God acted and delivered/liberated his people.  God will not let the destroyer harm his own.  The instructions are clear, no one shall forget what God has done (every first month, on the tenth day, you must stop and recall, what God did).  They are to do as God does for them and for others.

Jesus opens the way to salvation for not only the chosen ones of Israel, but to all.  His mission is about making God present to others, serving others’ interest.   Jesus challenges the status quo whenever he does not see this attitude in them,  
Today, He (the Teacher and Master) kneels and washes the feet of his disciples (a chore for slaves or servants) to remind them of this humble attitude of self-less service.  He will give his life for them in a little while.  If one of them wants to be his disciple, they must do as he has done. 
 
Have you ever tried to wash the feet of a child or another?  You see everything, their wrinkles, the dirt, the smell. Feet are intimate parts that we cover.  Washing the feet forces one to look at another face to face.  It lowers one’s guard.  It reminds one of their limitedness.  Also, this makes us realize that we are very much the same.
Isn’t the significance and power of this gesture of service and selflessness what the world and society needs?  Isn’t this what our hearts need: to see the faces of others, to be in solidarity with their struggles and their difficulties, to understand their failures and to heal them?
More than serving ourselves, we are called to remember what Jesus did and do the same for others.  Our salvation, healing and fulfillment are hidden here.
Let us pray that Christians may reject a self-serving attitude and spirit, that selflessness may be ingrained in their families and relationships, nation and humanity.  Let us even dare to use this trying time ‘at home’ to re-draw the way we live our lives.
Who might be the victim(s) of a self- serve attitude and a lack of charity?  What are the consequences of this to humanity?

Blessed Holy Thursday.
Fr. Anthony


 

Dear Friends,
In an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times due to the restrictions around the coronavirus, we invite you to join us online for Palm Sunday and Holy Week Masses.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week Mass Schedule:

April 5:  Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: 
WATCH HERE: 8:00AM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 9: Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper:  
WATCH HERE: 7:00PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 10: Good Friday of the Lord's Passion:  
WATCH HERE:  7:00PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 11: Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil of the Holy Night :
WATCH LIVE:  3:00PM Rome with Pope Francis as the celebrant.
WATCH HERE:  7:30PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 12: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: 
WATCH HERE:  5:00AM Rome with Pope Francis as the celebrant.
WATCH LIVE:  10:00AM Diocese of Worcester with Bishop Robert McManus as the celebrant.
WATCH HERE: 12:30PM Los Angeles with Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the celebrant.

VIEW HERE Saint Boniface's YouTube channel.