Homily for Evening Mass, March 29, 2018.
“For I
have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” John
13:15
Our
liturgy this evening is packed full with so many symbols that it barely needs
any homily. I would simply invite us to watch carefully and allow the events
speak to the innermost depths of our hearts.
Actually, today
is a very special day, it is a day that connects both the Old and the New Testament.
Today is Passover day. As contained in today’s first reading, God gave the
people of Israel instructions regarding the Passover. Every family was to
gather to eat a lamb whose blood will be sprinkled on the door posts of their house.
They were to eat the flesh that night roasted with unleavened bread, loins girded;
sandals on their feet and in haste.
The whole
essence of the Passover is contained in that line: “When I see the blood, I will
pass over you, no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you.” Exodus 12:13.
Jesus Christ also partook of this Passover meal but on this particular
occasion, a night before he was arrested, he replaced the Old Sacrifice with
the New; he offered his very body and blood in place of the lamb.
If the
blood of ordinary lambs could save the Israelites that night from the death of their
first born sons, how much more is the blood of Jesus capable of saving and redeeming
us from all that enslaves us, oppresses us and destroys us.
This night,
we shall not all eat the Passover meal (the body and blood of Jesus Christ), we
shall spend time to adore Jesus. I beg you, please during adoration, take your
time to Thank Jesus for this great gift of himself; thank Jesus for paying the
ultimate price for us and for making himself available to us in the form of
bread and wine.
Honestly, if
I was Jesus, I will be jumping out of the ciborium to slap and knock those who
treat me badly; people who do not believe in my real presence or people who
receive me when not in the state of grace. Don’t you think Jesus is just too
humble? The truth is that it is me who is too proud; it is me who needs to
seriously learn from Jesus’ humility.
The humility
of Jesus in Holy Communion is further buttressed in Jesus’ act of humility at the
Last Supper; how he brought himself to the level of slave by washing the feet
of his disciples. As you watch your priest washing people’s feet, try to look
beyond the person of the priest; try to see Jesus as the one washing your very feet
despite all your sins, despite your past, your unworthiness, your
worthlessness. Jesus, wash my feet? No way. Who am I? But Jesus is doing the
washing all the same.
Even in my
imagination, I wish I can just kneel down, carry water, ask Jesus to sit down
let me wash his feet instead but then it dawns on me that Jesus is only washing
my feet so that I took can wash his feet in the poor, the homeless, those who
offend me, those who do not measure up to my standards in life, those who are
nothing and good for nothing. If I can recognize Jesus in such persons, I must
start washing their feet today.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my gratitude for you ultimate gift and
grant that I may be z gift to others especially the poor and needy. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Holy
Thursday Evening mass of the Lord’s Supper. Bible Study: Exodus 12:1-14, 1st
Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15).
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