Homily For Holy Thursday – Year - A

 

HOLY THURSDAY – YEAR  - A

“You also should do just as I have done to you.”

Exo 12: 1–8, 11–14  1 Cor 11: 23–26   Jn 13: 1–15

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

Today we begin the Easter Triduum, the most sacred days of our Christian life. This evening, we begin not just another Mass, but a night that reveals the true meaning of love - a love expressed not in words, but in action. The Word of God leads us through three moments: a meal, a gift, and an example. And all three point to one command of Jesus Christ: “You also should do just as I have done to you.” The Church invites us not just to listen, but to enter deeply into this mystery of God’s love.

On this holy and sacred night, Jesus Christ gives us three great gifts:

He gives us the Eucharist - the breaking of the bread, where He daily offers Himself as our nourishment.

He gives us the priesthood - through which this mystery is made present and teaches us to serve with humility.

And He gives us a command: “You also should do just as I have done to you” - a call to love as He loves.

All these become possible for us today, in every place and every generation, through the gift of the priesthood. Because without the priesthood, there is no Eucharist, and without the Eucharist, we cannot fully enter into His sacrifice and love. Therefore, the Holy Thursday reminds us of something deeper: the priesthood is not about status - it is about service.

To serve with humility.

To love without condition.

To give ourselves for others.

The priesthood of Christ is a special calling, but above all, it is a life of love, service, and faithfulness.

First Reading – A Meal (Ex 12: 1 -8, 11 -14)

In the first reading, we see the people of Israel still in slavery in Egypt - burdened, suffering, and uncertain about the future. Nothing has changed around them. They are still living in fear.

And yet, at that very moment, when they are still afraid, God speaks - not by offering a quick escape, but by asking them to prepare a meal - the Passover. This is unexpected and surprising.

They are told to eat in haste - with sandals on their feet and a staff in their hands, ready to move. This is not a relaxed meal. It is a meal of transformation, a meal that prepares them to leave behind their old life of slavery.

So, we ask ourselves:

What kind of meal will help us to leave behind our old life of slavery?

• A meal of faith - trusting God even in difficulty.

• A meal of preparation - ready to leave the old life behind.

• A meal of sacrifice - the lamb is given so that the people may live.

• A meal of transformation - leading us to a new life in God. 

At the center of this meal is the lamb - sacrificed so that the people may live. Its blood becomes a sign of protection, and its flesh becomes their nourishment. This Passover is not just a story from the past but it is our daily experience. It points forward to Jesus Christ, the true Lamb, who gives his life not just for one people, but for all.

And just as the Israelites had to eat the lamb to share in their freedom, we too are invited not just to remember Christ, but to receive him - especially in the Eucharist. True freedom is not only about leaving something behind; it is also about receiving the new life that God gives.

Second Reading – A Gift (1 Cor 11: 23 -26)

In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Saint Paul reminds us of what happened at the Last Supper: “This is my body… this is my blood.”

In these simple words, Jesus Christ gives us the greatest gift. He does not give something outside of himself - he gives his very self: his body, his blood, his whole life.

This is the love of Christ -

• a love that gives,

• a love that sacrifices,

• a love that holds nothing back.

And then he says: “Do this in memory of me.” With these words, Jesus gives us the Eucharist and entrusts it to his apostles. The Eucharist is not just a ritual we perform; it is the very presence of Christ among us. Every time we gather at the altar, heaven touches earth. Christ becomes our nourishment, our strength, and our unity. In a world that often leaves us empty, the Eucharist fills us with divine life.

EUCHRIST is the beginning of the priesthood - so that this gift of love may continue in every time and place.  Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, (the acts of Christ) this moment is made present again. Christ continues to give himself to us. But this command is not only about the altar. It is also about our life. “Do this” means:

live like this.

love like this.

give yourself like this.

St. Francis De Sales beautifully reminds us, “The measure of love is to love without measure.” So, when we receive the Eucharist, we are not only receiving Christ - we are also called to become like him:

to give,

to serve,

and to love without condition.

The Gospel - An Example to Follow (Jn 13: 1 -15)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ shows us what true love really looks like through His acts. He rises from the table, takes a towel, and kneels down. In that very moment, everything becomes silent - the Lord bends down, the Master becomes a servant.

He begins to wash the feet of his disciples, one by one, slowly and personally. He washes the feet of Judas Iscariot and Peter the Apostle.

He comes to Peter - who resists, who does not understand, who says, “Lord, You shall never wash my feet.” Yet Jesus waits… corrects… and gently leads him to surrender.

He comes to Judas - who is already planning to betray Him.

Jesus knows.

And still, He kneels.

Still, He washes.

Still, He loves.

He comes to the others - silent, confused, watching.
No questions, no words, no sound -  only they feel the quiet touch of the Master’s hand.

Each one is different.

Each one is weak.

Each one is loved.

No one is rushed.

No one is skipped.

No one is rejected.

And in that silence, something beautiful takes place:

The Lord bends down…

The Master serves…

The Savior touches their dust, their weakness, their brokenness.

This is how Jesus loves:

Personally…
Patiently…
Completely.

No one is excluded. No one is unworthy of his love.

This is not just an action - it is a revelation of who God is: a God who comes close, who stoops down, who serves.

Then Jesus asks: “Do you understand what I have done for you?” And before we can answer, he gives the command: “You also should do just as I have done to you.” This is where the Gospel becomes very personal.

It is easy to admire the acts of Jesus, but not always easy to live like him -

to serve gently,

to love without appreciation,

to forgive without being asked. And yet this is exactly what he calls us to do.

Let me share a story

A teacher once gave her students a simple task. She asked each of them to quietly help one person in the class every day for a week - without telling anyone.

At first, they found it difficult. They wanted appreciation. They wanted to be noticed. But slowly, something began to change.

At the end of the week, one student said, “I felt happier helping someone quietly than being praised.”

Another said, “Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”

What this means for us today

• Love is shown through service.

• Serve humbly and quietly.

• Small acts of kindness matter.

• True joy comes from giving.

• We are called to imitate Christ.

• Selfless love transforms us.

• Everyone is worthy of love.

Dear brothers and sisters,

This evening, we receive a meal, a gift, and an example. The Eucharist we celebrate… must become the love we live. The Christ we receive… must be seen in our actions.

Let us leave behind our old life and begin a new life of love and service. And may the words of Jesus Christ remain in our hearts: “You also should do just as I have done to you.”

LIVE JAESU!

FR. D. VIMAL   MSFS

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