Stations of the Cross
12th Jesus Dies on the Cross Psalm 51 v 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
Today, is Holy Thursday. We celebrate and reenact the Last Supper of the Lord and Jesus washing of the disciples’ feet.
The Last Supper was really a reenactment of the Seder meal of the Passover for Jews. In tradition, the youngest child at the Seder table always asked the question…How is this night different? Father Will at Mass this evening said he was pretty sure someone asked that same question at the Last Supper. Jesus had all the correct answers from his Jewish upbringing but he knew so much more, this was a meal different from all other before and still to come. This as the meal when he instituted the Eucharist breaking of the bread and sharing the cup. Giving of his own body and blood to the world.
During our celebration the priest also washing the feet of 12 people. Earlier today, I saw the Pope once again washing the feet of 12 prisoners from a prison in Rome, 6 men and 6 women. I wept as I watched. I heard myself grasp when he bent to kiss the foot of the first person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_brCm6Sd24
During the washing of the feet, we sang Dan Schutte’s song, As I Have Done for You, so I leave you with the words:
I, your Lord and Master, now become your servant. I who made the moon and stars will kneel to wash your feet. This is my commandment: to love as I have loved you. Kneel to wash each other’s feet as I have done for you. All the world will know you are my disciples by the love that you offer, the kindness you show. You have heard the voice of God in the words that I have spoken. You beheld heaven’s glory and have seen the face of God.
One last thought…Do you were wonder what it was like for Jesus Thursday night in prison. During the last week he experienced some of the of the best moments of his life here on earth, a mountain top experience, feed the multitudes and having his own feet washed and now living the darkest time of his life and he knows what is yet to come.
Words That Sing 