Pastor's Message
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, we celebrate two anniversaries: 1) the anniversary of the first Holy Mass, and 2) the anniversary of Jesus’ promulgation of his new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). It is the Eucharist that gives us sustenance for the journey of life and it is the love of God and the love we show others that gives purpose and meaning to our lives. Never has there been a better time for us to fully embrace these cornerstones of our faith.
In the first reading, God gives the Hebrews two instructions: prepare for the moment of liberation by a ritual meal and make a symbolic mark on your homes to exempt yourselves from the coming slaughter. In the second reading, Paul suggests that our celebration of the Lord’s Supper, from the very beginning of the Church, is an unbroken tradition by which Christians remind themselves of the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus transformed the Jewish Passover into the celebration of the Eucharistic. After washing the feet of his apostles and commanding them to do humble service for each other, Jesus concluded the ceremony by giving his apostles his own body and blood under the appearances of bread and wine as spiritual food and drink.
We are presented today with a challenge for humble service. Our celebration of the Eucharist requires that we wash one another’s feet, serve one another, and revere Christ’s presence in other persons. In practical terms, that means we are to consider their needs to be as important as our own and to serve their needs, without expecting reward. In this time of global pandemic, answering the call to stay at home if at all possible, to exercise social distancing and to wear a face mask are all great examples of how we can serve our neighbours by protecting their health.
Holy Thursday also offers a loving invitation for sacrificial sharing and self-giving love. Let us imitate the self-giving model of Jesus who shares with us his own Body and Blood and who enriches us with his real presence in the Holy Eucharist. It is by sharing our blessings – our talents, time, health and wealth – with others, that we become true disciples of Christ and obey his new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
And finally, the feast of Holy Thursday offers an invitation to become Christ-bearers and Christ-conveyers: “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” really means, “Go in peace to love and serve one another.’’ We are to carry Jesus to our homes and places of work, conveying to others around us the love, mercy, forgiveness, and the spirit of humble service of Christ whom we carry with us. Reach out to someone who is alone or hurting today and be the hands and feet of Jesus. For as St. Teresa of Avila said, "Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
God Bless you all folks, you are always in my prayers.
Fr. Gerard Plant
P.S. Any requests for prayers or any other help that myself or the parish can provide can be sent to me at pastorstleonard@gmail.com
