People in authority and leadership have been called upon to serve others not with pride but with humility. This call was made on Thursday afternoon during Mass to celebrate the Lord’s supper. Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese while preaching during Mass said that Jesus was the master but showed a perfect example of servant leadership by washing his disciples’ feet.
Msgr. John Vianney said that Jesus does not only save but he also serves. He washes his disciples feet, the work that used to be for stewards and slaves. Jesus washes the feet as a sign of humble service. He gave a new law that they should do as he has done to them.
“We should serve our people, not to trample on them, with pride, but with humility”, said Msgr. John Vianney Sunday as he made an appeal to the Christians to keep praying for their priests so that they may fulfil their priestly duties.
The act of washing the feet finds its deepest meaning with the cross. While at table, Jesus prepares his disciples for the cross that was to come. The humility he had in washing their feet is the same humility with which he offered himself to die on the cross; with all the humiliation, and act which he does this save humanity.
Christians, on their part should stay with him and this is done when they receive the sacraments especially the most Holy Eucharist with proper disposition (in state of grace).
Jesus offered himself as the paschal lamb, but also chose to stay with his people in the Sacrament of Eucharist which he instituted on Holy Thursday. On the same day he gave a new commandment of love which he expressed in washing his disciples feet.
Holy Thursday is important in the life of Catholics because they celebrate with joy the day when Christ gave himself to them in the Blessed Eucharist, a sacrament which shows unity of the Church “for we eat the same bread and drink the same cup. Its the sacrament where we meet christ, his body and blood, soul and divinity under the species of bread and wine,” said Msgr John Vianney Sunday.
It is the same say when Christ instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders (ministerial priesthood) so that priests continue celebrating Mass and feeding the Christians with the Body and Blood of Christ.
The sacrament of Eucharist has roots in Old Testament where the Israelites were instructed to slaughter a lamb without blemish, whose blood would be smeared on the door posts so that the angel of death passes over them while killing the Egyptians. Today we are not saved by the blood of bullocks but by the blood of Jesus. Jesus becomes the new covenant when he prepares the Passover with his disciples.
Maundy Thursday stems from mandatum which means mandate or law. There for Jesus give a law that they should always celebrate in his memory. The Israelites sacrifices a lamb without blemish. We are called upon to approach the table of the Eucharist without blemish (while in state of grace).
Bishop Callist Rubaramira, in his remarks appealed to all to pray for peace in war ton areas especially in the Holy Land. He also appealed to Christians to offer generously on good Friday because whatever is collected it sent to help in the Holy Land.
On Holy Thursday, after the post communion prayer, there follows transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to another well prepared place and there follows adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The tabernacle is opened, the altar is stripped of the linens to show the emptiness and that Christ had been captured.
Mass does not conclude with blessing because the three days of Triduum are taken as one and the blessing will be given at Easter vigil with great Alleluia.