Holy Thursday
Daily Prayer
Gentle Master, You rose from supper after sharing Your Body and Blood, and washed the feet of Your disciples, telling them to do the same. Remind us that the Eucharist must always lead to serve. Grant that we may be united with You and in the meal we hope to share in Your eternal Kingdom. Amen
Scripture Readings
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
(Click for today’s Readings.)
Scripture Quote
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Reflection
We call it the Last Supper. But for Jesus and his apostles, Jews, it was the Passover seder. Jesus wanted to celebrate the Passover with His disciples not only because it was their last meal together, but also because Jesus took elements of the Passover meal and made them symbols of His death.
Throughout the Lent readings, Jesus reveals that he does not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In this case, Jesus is fulfilling the covenant that God made with the people of Israel at the time of the Passover (Exodus 6:6-7). Jesus is the unblemished Passover lamb.
In the Old Testament, the chalice, or cup, symbolizes the will of God for us. In very little time, Jesus will be in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus is referring to the different ‘cups’ of wine which are an integral part of the seder. They stand for each of the four promises the Lord makes to His people in Exodus 6:6-7.
Reflection Questions
Do I remember Jesus’ sacrifice for me each time I receive the Eucharist?
What can I do to share my bread with the hungry, and my love with those in need?
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate care for the spiritual and physical needs of the poor and abandoned members of the Body of Christ by taking on the most difficult missions in the US and world. Will you support us today in your prayers and gifts?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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