Holy Thursday is a day of profound significance in the Christian faith. It is the day when we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, and it is also the day when Jesus gave us the commandment to love one another as He has loved us. As we reflect on the events of Holy Thursday, we are invited to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love and to respond to His call to service and communion.
The Gospel recounts the washing of the disciples’ feet, an act of humble service. After washing their feet, Jesus draws the attention of His disciples to the significance of what he has just done, inviting them to follow His example. Jesus, the Lord and Teacher, humbled Himself to serve His disciples, and He calls us to do the same, and we should feel challenged to reflect on the meaning of service in our own lives. True discipleship is not about power or prestige; it is about love and service.
The events of Holy Thursday also remind us of the profound gifts Jesus has given us: the Eucharist, the priesthood, and His commandment to love one another. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, the sacrament in which we encounter the real presence of Jesus and are nourished by His Body and Blood. Through the priesthood, Jesus continues to make Himself present in the Eucharist and to shepherd His people. And the commandment to love one another is the heart of the Christian life, the call to imitate Jesus’ love in our own lives.
As we give thanks for these gifts, let us recommit ourselves to living as disciples of Jesus: pray for the grace to receive the Eucharist with faith and reverence; honor and support our priests; and love one another as Jesus has loved us. Let us also pray for the courage to follow Jesus’ example of humble service, to wash the feet of others, and to give ourselves completely to God and to others. As we enter into the Triduum, let us walk with Jesus on the way of the cross, trusting that His love will lead us to the joy of the Resurrection.
This reflection is by Father Silvano Ochuodho of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya.
