The Scriptures for Holy Thursday speak loudly about the Jewish Passover and the “Paschal Meal,” the whole Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection. It also makes the powerful and appropriate “linking” of the bread and wine (and its communal eating) with the death and Resurrection of Jesus.
The beginning of these Holy days marks the beginning of a new freedom, not just from physical slavery, but from every kind of slavery, especially that of sin and evil. Jesus presents us with a “new Passover” … there is a new Lamb – the Lamb of God. And there is a new unleavened bread – the Bread that is the Body of the Risen Lord.
For reflection: At the Last Supper, Jesus, the Lord and Master, got down on His knees and washed the feet of his disciples. It is His spirit of love and service which is to be the outstanding characteristic of the Christian disciple. And this is the true “living out” of the Eucharistic celebration. To have one without the other is not to live the Gospel! That is, to not celebrate the Eucharist in community, and to not spend our energies in love and service of each other, is to not live the Gospel. Our Catholic life is supposed to be a seamless robe between the Gospel, the liturgy, and daily life and interaction.
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Holy Week: “Look to the Cross” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254024/pope-francis-advice-for-holy-week-look-to-the-cross-our-hope-is-there
