“Do This in Memory of Me” — Maundy Thursday
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)SSPP Bodija
Gathered around the table with their Master for the last time, the disciples were deeply moved by the solemnity and intimacy of the moment. Jesus, fully aware that His hour had come, was preparing to leave this world. And yet, in that sacred space, He entrusted to His beloved friends an eternal memorial—the gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist.
On this holy night, the Church celebrates three profound mysteries:
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The institution of the Holy Eucharist,
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The gift of the sacred priesthood,
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And the call to humble, loving service.
Each of these is deeply interconnected. The Eucharist, the very Body and Blood of Christ, cannot be celebrated without the priesthood. And yet, the priesthood itself finds its fullest meaning not in authority, but in service—modeled after Christ, who knelt to wash the feet of His disciples.
This is no mere gesture—it is a divine call to selflessness. The Church, the Body of Christ, is not held together by doctrine alone, but by acts of love—by the “yes” of those who serve without counting the cost, who forgive, who give of themselves day after day.
And so we are led to a question that should live in the heart of every believer:
How much respect and love do we show our Lord in the Holy Eucharist?
- Do we approach the altar with reverence, truly aware of the sacred mystery we are receiving?
- Do we allow the grace of the Eucharist to shape our lives—our choices, our relationships, our witness in the world?
- Do we remember that every Mass is not just a ritual, but a real encounter with Jesus, who gives Himself to us in love?
The humility of our Lord is overwhelming. His love is pure, genuine, and freely given. And He asks us to follow His example—not only by partaking in the Sacrament, but by becoming Eucharistic people: broken and shared for others.
As we commemorate this sacred night, may we renew our gratitude for the gift of the Eucharist, pray for our priests, and recommit ourselves to lives of loving service. For in doing so, we remain united to Christ—and to one another—in the most profound and holy way.