DIOCESE OF GALLUP

Homily for Holy Thursday

March 24, 2005

Dear Friends,

     Nearly three weekends ago I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Diocese of El Paso’s Eucharistic Congress. Another speaker that day, a Dominican priest, did a marvelous job at comparing the Eucharistic accounts of the Four Gospels - something many have not had a chance to do unless they have taken Scripture courses.

     You have just heard the deacon proclaim the following text: “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” With these words Jesus offers to his disciples an insight into the deepest meaning of their Eucharistic meal. This is also a great gift of John’s Gospel to the Church. Its proclamation every Holy Thursday invites us to connect our Eucharistic celebration with our Eucharistic lives.

     As a comparison of John’s Gospel with the other three Gospels quickly demonstrates, whatever St. John knew about these other Gospels, he does not copy their work. It is almost as if he assumed that his community already knew what the other Gospels presented about the Eucharist. So he provided what they may not have considered.

     John describes Jesus’ last supper not as a Passover meal but as a farewell dinner. Jesus, aware that he would soon die and return to God (John 13:3), takes the opportunity for a final intimate sharing of his deepest hopes and feelings with his followers. And though the other Gospel writers stress how this meal reveals Jesus’ desire to be present with the community as their food and drink, John does not mention this at all. Instead, John describes Jesus’ strange behavior of washing the disciples’ feet.

     This symbolic gesture is John’s way of pointing out what our Eucharistic gathering is all about. It is not merely sharing a meal. It is not just about Jesus’ continued presence under the forms of bread and wine. John teaches his community that at the heart of Eucharist is service - the willingness like Jesus to sacrifice and give up one self so that others might live more fully.

     Giving one’s life for others is clearly what food is all about. In order for us to live, some plant, some animal, some fish had to give up its life so we could nourish ours. Eating Jesus’ body and drinking his blood in the Eucharist is a reminder that we live because he gives up his life for us.

     But John’s example of foot washing is also an example of selfless service. Foot washing was part of the ritual of hospitality, the process by which a stranger became an honored guest and a member of the family. The household gave food, shelter and protection to maintain the stranger’s life. Although foot washing was the responsibility of the host, it was usually performed by a servant.

     So Jesus, the host and the guest of honor, their “teacher and master” (John 13:13) gives up all his status and honor and, like a servant, washes the feet of the disciples. Peter, aware of the incongruity of the whole event, protests. But Jesus reminds him that foot washing is a transformation experience. If you feet aren’t washed, you can’t be a part of the household. Peter, of course, then reveals how much he wants to be a member by requesting to be washed all over.

     For us who celebrate the Eucharist today, being like Christ compels us to follow his example. Giving one’s life for others brings them into a more intimate relationship with God and with ourselves.

     How do we follow Christ in our daily lives? In our homes and in our local communities, there are always opportunities to serve people, people who may be difficult to be with or whose needs are unpleasant to deal with. Whose feet are we called to wash? In whose service must we humbly place ourselves in order to fully proclaim our identity as disciples of Jesus.

Back


	Homily for Holy Thursday March 24, 2005 Dear Friends, Nearly three weekends ago I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Diocese of El Paso’s Eucharistic Congress. Another speaker that day, a Dominican priest, did a marvelous job at comparing the Eucharistic accounts of the Four Gospels - something many have not had a chance to do unless they have taken Scripture courses. You have just heard the deacon proclaim the following text: “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” With these words Jesus offers to his disciples an insight into the deepest meaning of their Eucharistic meal. This is also a great gift of John’s Gospel to the Church. Its proclamation every Holy Thursday invites us to connect our Eucharistic celebration with our Eucharistic lives. As a comparison of John’s Gospel with the other three Gospels quickly demonstrates, whatever St. John knew about these other Gospels, he does not copy their work. It is almost as if he assumed that his community already knew what the other Gospels presented about the Eucharist. So he provided what they may not have considered. John describes Jesus’ last supper not as a Passover meal but as a farewell dinner. Jesus, aware that he would soon die and return to God (John 13:3), takes the opportunity for a final intimate sharing of his deepest hopes and feelings with his followers. And though the other Gospel writers stress how this meal reveals Jesus’ desire to be present with the community as their food and drink, John does not mention this at all. Instead, John describes Jesus’ strange behavior of washing the disciples’ feet. This symbolic gesture is John’s way of pointing out what our Eucharistic gathering is all about. It is not merely sharing a meal. It is not just about Jesus’ continued presence under the forms of bread and wine. John teaches his community that at the heart of Eucharist is service - the willingness like Jesus to sacrifice and give up one self so that others might live more fully. Giving one’s life for others is clearly what food is all about. In order for us to live, some plant, some animal, some fish had to give up its life so we could nourish ours. Eating Jesus’ body and drinking his blood in the Eucharist is a reminder that we live because he gives up his life for us. But John’s example of foot washing is also an example of selfless service. Foot washing was part of the ritual of hospitality, the process by which a stranger became an honored guest and a member of the family. The household gave food, shelter and protection to maintain the stranger’s life. Although foot washing was the responsibility of the host, it was usually performed by a servant. So Jesus, the host and the guest of honor, their “teacher and master” (John 13:13) gives up all his status and honor and, like a servant, washes the feet of the disciples. Peter, aware of the incongruity of the whole event, protests. But Jesus reminds him that foot washing is a transformation experience. If you feet aren’t washed, you can’t be a part of the household. Peter, of course, then reveals how much he wants to be a member by requesting to be washed all over. For us who celebrate the Eucharist today, being like Christ compels us to follow his example. Giving one’s life for others brings them into a more intimate relationship with God and with ourselves. How do we follow Christ in our daily lives? In our homes and in our local communities, there are always opportunities to serve people, people who may be difficult to be with or whose needs are unpleasant to deal with. Whose feet are we called to wash? In whose service must we humbly place ourselves in order to fully proclaim our identity as disciples of Jesus. Back