Christ's Body and Blood are the nourishment for our souls

April 14, Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper
Daily Readings:  Exodus 12: 1 – 8. 11 – 14, 1 Corinthian 11: 23-26, John 13:1 – 15
 
Every time I celebrate Mass on Holy Thursday, when I dramatize the scene of the washing of the apostles' feet, I imagine Jesus Christ, who is Lord, who so gloriously came down to wash the feet of his apostles. After he had washed the apostles' feet, he asked them, "Do you understand what I have done?" You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right because I am teacher and Lord. If I wash your feet, you must also wash each other's feet! "

It has always been hard for me to figure out whether I can be like Jesus.

Washing the feet is not only about cleaning the physical feet but also about serving others to become clean, holy, and worthy before God. Washing one's feet requires patience and humility. Am I patient in helping others, especially those who always hurt my heart?

Jesus has commanded the Apostles and His followers, including us today, to hold Mass as a memorial and, at the same time, relive what He has done. So when we do it, he is spiritually present at that moment. When we eat and drink at communion, the spiritual power of Christ's body and blood will help our bodies a lot.

The Maundy Thursday celebration is also a celebration to commemorate the priests. Only priests may hold Mass thanks to the sacrament of the priesthood they received on their ordination. Without priests, we cannot accept the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, we pray for the priests always to be faithful to their promises and always serve others according to the example of life that Jesus, the prominent priest, has shown.

Together with Our Lady, we pray: Lord, remind us to always respectfully accept the Body and Blood of Christ, which is the food of our souls, and to honestly believe that Jesus Christ is present in the Most Holy Sacrament and that we also always faithfully follow His example. Amen.