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PARTICIPATING IN THE PASCHAL MYSTERY ENTAILS EMPTYING OURSELVES IN CHRIST
SCRIPTURE READINGS: EX 12: 1-8, 11-14; 1 COR 11: 23-26; JOHN 13: 1-15
http://www.universalis.com/20140417/mass.htm

The scripture readings today connect the Passover with the Institution of the Eucharist, and the Eucharist with the Washing of Feet. What is common in all the three readings is the motif of self-emptying.

The first reading from Exodus recounts how the Hebrews prepared for their Passover from Egypt, the land of slavery and misery, to the Promised Land. In order to make this passage, they were required to come together as a family to partake of a common meal, particularly in the sharing of a roasted lamb, one without blemish, symbolizing purity; a year old, embodying the salvific significance that would be placed upon it; a male, so that it would not lose the productive potential of the females of the flock. The meal, to be consumed with unleavened bread, symbol of purification from all contamination, had to be eaten in a hurry, like those in flight from their enemies. What is even more important is that the blood of the lamb had to be painted on their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their houses and the lives of the first born would be spared.

Thus, in the first reading, we see how God had already emptied Himself by taking the initiative to free the Hebrews without any merit on their part. They only had to respond to the gift of freedom that the Lord wanted to give them. God passed over them without taking into account their past misdeeds. This however entailed their resolving to leave behind the dark night of sin, which was to be done urgently and in haste. They had to henceforth live a life of purity as a community of the faithful.

This theme of God’s self-emptying is taken up by St Paul in the second reading. He recounted the tradition passed on to him regarding the Eucharistic celebration. By offering His own body and blood, it shows how Jesus had in mind the new covenant of the Prophet Jeremiah when He incorporated it with the Jewish sacrificial meal of the Passover. His very action at the farewell meal suggests that it was a prophetic act, that is, a revelation in action. Through this sign, He anticipated His self-emptying on the Cross for us all. By asking the disciples to repeat for themselves what He had done, suggests that He intended the Christians to participate in His saving death and in His resurrection that follows. By reenacting Jesus’ actions and words, the past, present and future are brought together, namely, the historical event of His death, our present participation of the saving effects through the memorial ritual and the awaiting of the fullness of His return at the end of time.

This motif of self-emptying is dramatically illustrated in the washing of the feet of Jesus’ disciples by the Master Himself. In washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus was carrying out what we call a prophetic action or a revelation in action. He was demonstrating His identity as the Suffering Servant and revealing to us the Heart of God who emptied Himself for the love of humanity in their sinfulness and misery. By assuming the role of a slave, stripped of His garments and stooping down to wash their feet, He was giving the disciples the hidden meaning of His identity, namely, that He had stripped Himself of His divine prerogatives and now was emptying Himself completely for the salvation and service of His people. Indeed, this truth is captured by St John at the very outset of today’s gospel text: “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, before returning to His Father where He belongs, sought first to empty Himself completely for us because He loves us.

The act of washing also dramatizes Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins, as in the Sacrament of Baptism and Reconciliation. But it was also more than an act of purification, as Peter understood it when he asked Jesus, “Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!” This was also an act of self-emptying in humble service for others. The statement that “God is love” is a historical fact. That God in Jesus has come to lay down His life for us, is the ultimate proof of His divine love for humanity. As John wrote, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us….” (1 Jn 3:16).

What does it mean for us? The answer is obvious! If we want to find life, we must also empty ourselves in Christ. In John’s gospel, Jesus said, “unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” (Jn 12:25) And going further He said, “if a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too” (Jn 12:26). This was what Jesus meant when He told Peter, “If I do not wash your feet, you will no longer be my disciple.” In other words, if Peter does not participate in Jesus’ self-emptying action, he would have no share of His blessings and glory.

So with the psalmist we want to say, “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”

But how should we empty ourselves? The first thing is to empty ourselves of our sin. Like the Hebrews and the disciple, we must make peace with the Lord and our fellowmen by confessing our sins, especially of pride and unforgiveness in the heart. If the Lord has forgiven our sins at the price of His precious blood on the cross and ratified our reconciliation with His Father, surely, we too should not allow Jesus to die in vain, since He has come for us, sinners, so that we, too, could also in turn forgive those who have hurt us. Without forgiveness, there can be no reconciliation or unity or love or joy. So if we want to share in the paschal mystery of Christ, we must humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, regardless whether we are at fault or otherwise, since so long as someone is hurt, forgiveness must be sought, at least for the pain we have inflicted on the other party. Like Christ, we must take the initiative and not wait for others to be reconciled with us. This would require humility, which is the first self-emptying that is asked of us, since Jesus on the cross forgave His enemies even before they asked to be forgiven, for he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they were doing.” (Lk 23:34)

Secondly to empty ourselves is a call to be self-giving like Jesus, by offering ourselves to others for their service. Like Jesus, we are called to give up our body and to shed our blood for others in selfless love and service. Both the signs of the Eucharist and the Washing of feet teach us that love is the basis for the bond of charity among Christians. To die for others as Jesus did, to live for others, knowing how jealously we guard our own lives and comfort, is surely an invitation to die to ourselves, putting others before us. This is the Passover we have to make, by passing over our own needs and seeking to satisfy the needs of others. We must pass beyond our status and position by stooping low to serve others, just like the Master who knelt before us like a humble servant. We must be ready not only to do great things for the Lord, but to do humble things like looking after the sick, feeding the poor and doing all the menial tasks at home, in the office or in the Church.

By so doing, we can truly give thanks, for this is what the Eucharist is all about. Let us imitate the psalmist who said, “To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.” Let us give thanks to Almighty God for humbling Himself to become one of us, and as a servant, to the extent of emptying His life for us on the cross. Let us give thanks for Christ who humbles Himself again and again to become present in the bread and wine consecrated at mass. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of the priesthood, where unworthy men are called to make Him present at every Eucharist. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of reconciliation and salvation, which is not wrought by our hands but through His graciousness, so that we can receive in gratitude. Finally, let us give thanks to the Lord for each other, as we become more and more His body, the Church of Christ, the sacrament of unity and love for the salvation of the world.

Written by The Most Rev Msgr William Goh
Archbishop of Singapore
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