[stephenkhoo]

MEMORIAL OF CHRIST’S PERFECT SACRIFICIAL LOVE
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [EX 12: 1-8, 11-14; PS 116:12-13,15-18; 1 COR 11: 23-26; JN 13: 1-15]

The summit of the celebration of the Church’s liturgy is the Eucharistic Sacrifice. But not many appreciate or understand why Catholics give such importance to the celebration of the Eucharist. This is simply because the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass sums up the salvation Christ has won for humanity and it is the way by which we will experience its saving effects and in turn seen in our life of charity towards our fellowmen.

Today’s celebration of the Last Supper Mass is a memorial of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The word “memorial” is more than just a mere calling to mind what Christ has done for us. It is a reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross in an un-bloody manner so that we can continue to make that once-and-for-all sacrifice present and effective in our lives as if we were there when Christ died on the cross. This word “memorial” has the same meaning in the book of Exodus when the Israelites were asked to celebrate the Passover as a memorial of their deliverance from the slavery of the Egyptians and when the angel of death passed over their houses marked with the blood of the Lamb. It was the way the generations after Moses would renew their encounter with the God who delivered them from slavery and death.

The Last Supper Mass for Christ was meant to be the New Passover. St John had this meal as a farewell meal and regarded Jesus as the Passover Lamb that was slain on Good Friday when the animals were slaughtered for the celebration of the Passover. The synoptic gospel however placed the Last Supper Mass as the Passover Meal itself. Regardless of which narrative we endorse, the truth remains that Jesus intended the meal to replace the Passover Meal and He was the Passover Lamb Himself to be sacrificed. St Paul handed on the Christian Tradition which he himself had received when he wrote, “For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.'”

What does it mean to do this in memory of Him? St Paul wrote, “This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” The Eucharist is more than a ritual celebration of a past event but the truth of the saving effects of this celebration must be seen in the way we live our life. In other words, we are called to imitate what the Lord had done for us. This was what the Lord told His disciples at the end of the foot-washing. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.” Clearly, this means more than mere washing of each other’s feet as we do in the liturgy or in some para-liturgical services.

We must see the full significance of the washing of feet in the context of the Last Supper. Right from the outset, St John says, “It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end.” Jesus wanted to leave behind something that the disciples could continue to remember Him by, His passion, death and resurrection. His passion and death is the demonstration of Christ’s utter love for humanity, to the point of giving Himself up for our salvation.

Firstly, we must take note that St John underscored the identity of Jesus as one with the Father. The sacrificial death of Jesus was not just any death but the sacrifice of the Son of God. This is underscored by the fact that Jesus knew He was returning to the Father and also “the Father had given him complete power.” His death was not something that happened without His will. Later on, the Lord would say, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.” (Jn 14:30f) This is why St John indicated Jesus’ foreknowledge of the betrayal of Judas. The death of Jesus was part of the divine plan of His Father of which Jesus willingly cooperated.

Secondly, that the Last Supper is truly an expression of His sacrificial death is not only confirmed by the words of the Eucharist, “This is my Body given up for you” or “This is my blood poured out for you”, but in the very act of Jesus taking out His outer garment and going down to wash the feet of His disciples. The act of going down symbolizes the act of incarnation when Christ assumed our humanity by stripping Himself of His divinity. And by going down to wash the feet of His disciples, He went to the extent of being a slave to all. (cf Phil 2:5-11)

Jesus came to teach us to serve humbly and totally to the extent of giving our life for our fellowmen. This is why we call today “Maundy Thursday” because not only did He give us a new mandate but He demonstrated it in His life. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 13:12f) The failure to love our brothers and sisters is a contradiction to what we are celebrating, the gift of God’s love for us. This was the reason why St Paul in the second reading wrote to the Christian community reprimanding them for causing division in the community and not waiting for those who were came late for the meal after work to eat together. “For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?” (1 Cor 11:21f) St Paul was scandalized by the lack of charity in the richer Christians.

This love is also extended not just to our friends but also to our enemies. Jesus at the Last Supper continued to offer His invitation to Judas to repent. Unfortunately, he did not turn away from his sin. In the case of Peter and the rest of the apostles, they repented and their sins were forgiven. This was why the Lord told Peter, “All of you are clean – all except one.” Indeed, this act of washing is but a symbol of Christian Baptism and the forgiveness of sins. But sins can only be forgiven unless we are contrite. This explains why in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, absolution is only given after the Act of Contrition. When there is no sorrow, there is no repentance. And this was why St Paul also reminds us that “all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.’ (1 Cor 11:29)

This evening as we celebrate the Last Supper Mass, we must be conscious of what we are celebrating. This is why, the Last Supper Mass begins the celebration of the Easter Triduum. It prepares us for the celebration of His Passion on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday. What we celebrate on Maundy Thursday must lead us to a deeper contemplation of His sacrificial death of us, His unconditional love and mercy on Good Friday. It is the Church’s desire that contemplating on His love and mercy, we will be motivated to give ourselves in charity, especially in forgiveness of our brothers and sisters.

Perhaps the greatest form of charity is not just giving out money to the poor but forgiving those who have hurt us deeply. We who desire to receive the forgiveness of God for our sins against Him and our fellowmen must be ready to do what Jesus did, to forgive our enemies, and to do good for them. This was what the Lord taught us and what He did in His own life. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.'” (Mt 5:43f) On the cross, He not only forgave but He prayed for His enemies. “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) What about us? Will we wash away not just our sins but their sins too? This is the real washing of feet if you truly believe in this action.