Living
Holy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Ps 115(116): 12-13,15-18
1 Cor 11:23-26
Gospel John 13:1-15
THROUGH HUMILITY JESUS SHOWED THEM HOW PERFECT HIS LOVE WAS.
What virtue do we need to become a true followers of Jesus? It’s a virtue that requires us totally surrender to God; it is the virtue of humility.
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, he passed on a strong message to them that if He who is their Lord and Master did this supreme act of love and humility, they too must do the same to one another.So that the faith that He founded through Peter would survive.
Jesus knew that without humility there was no chance for the faith to grow and blossom as it is today. However to live the virtue of humility is not easy to do,however, it is in our humility that we would grow more in knowledge and friendship with Jesus. It is through our humility that we could convince others to follow Jesus. It is through the humble and godly way of living that we become Christ-like. It is through our humility we become saints.
Do we really want to serve God? Do you really want to show your appreciation to God for all he has done for you?Do we desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus?Do we desire to convince others to follow the Lord? Let us live in Humility all through our lives. Amen.
SEE ALSO
MASS OF CHRISM.
This celebration traditionally takes place on Holy Thursday morning in the Cathedral in every diocese and it is presided over by the bishop as head of the diocese. During this Mass the sacred oils (the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens) are blessed after the Oil of Chrism is consecrated. They are then distributed to the churches throughout the diocese for use till the following year.
UNITY WITH THE HEAD
Also at this Mass, the bishop is joined by clergy from throughout the diocese which represents the unity of the diocese and of the universal Church. The clergy renew their commitment to priestly service before the bishop and the people.
THE PREBYTERIUM
Today’s first reading speaks very much of the presbyteral order – of those ordained to sacred ministry. They represent Christ on earth and they are to carry on the work of God following the example of Christ. The second reading speaks of what Christ has done for us by washing away our sins with His blood. It also says that those who pierced Him will now see His glory; the glory He has before the foundation of the world. In the gospel, Jesus is preaching in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, He went about performing His ministry as the true Messiah.
COMMON PRIEsTHOOD
Through baptism, we all have a common priesthood – that of spreading the gospel of Christ across the world beginning in our own small corner of that world, sanctifying our families with prayers, being faithful as Catholics in our homes, neighborhoods, and places of work, etc. While this morning is a celebration of the ordained ministers gathered with their bishop it is also a celebration of the commitment we share together and the responsibilities we all have for each other and it has to work for the building of the kingdom of God.
May God fill us with the joy of the Gospel and rouse our hearts with a burning love for Him and spread it wherever we go. May God bless and keep all the bishops and priests in the whole world. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
