Eucharist...the Great Gift

~~~ Holy Thursday ~~~

~~Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14~~Psalm 116~~1 Corinthians 11:23-26~~John 13:1-15~~

For the next three days we remember...

we reenact...we celebrate...we pray...we mourn...we rejoice.

Jesus begins his passion journey by emptying himself 

at the feet of his chosen followers.

He washes the feet of his twelve apostles 

including the one who would betray him 

and the one who would deny him.

 “Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

The Apostles like us did not fully grasp what Jesus had done for them.

He was not just talking about washing their feet.

He was speaking of all he had done each day.

How he had reached out to others.

I am reminded of the lyrics of a beautiful Taize music.

"Lord God you love us, source of compassion."

Jesus took the opportunity to extend compassion to everyone he met.

His compassion was made evident in his kindness, his acts of healing,

his mercy and forgiveness.

Many of his parables were also scented with his great compassion.

Jesus left us his body and blood as a personal act of compassion for all ages.

Compassion...a feeling to want to help someone who is suffering.

Jesus was leaving, his time on earth was ending.

He did not want to leave us alone and lost.

He left us the greatest gift, the gift of himself....

the Most Holy Eucharist.

A compassionate person wants to alleviate pain and suffering.

Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus

 is our source of comfort

given to us by Jesus personally.

Do you realize what I have done for you?

Compassion focuses on relieving pain and suffering.

Jesus left this model of compassion 

for us in hopes that we too 

will find this practice of compassion valuable.

Jesus extends his compassion 

for us every time we come forward 

to receive his Body and Blood...in Holy Communion.

Blessed through the gift of the Eucharist.

In deep gratitude for his presence.

Peace.