Thursday, March 28, 2013

partaking of the Body and Blood


The Lectionary of the Roman Catholic Church presents the texts which are the Word proclaimed today at the beginning of the Triduum, the three day journey with Jesus through the events of a new Passover meal where service, love and life are celebrated tonight, His passion and death on the cross, tomorrow and His triumph over death at Easter. The text from the Book of Exodus presents the instructions to the Israelites about how they are to commemorate the mighty action of God to free them from slavery and oppression in Egypt. The ongoing celebration of this meal by Jews concludes with the exhortation of “next year in Jerusalem” The longing for God which this phrase invokes is the prayer of the psalmist who seeks the cup of blessing which is his thanksgiving reflection of the action of God in his life. Paul addresses the Corinthians as he explains the action of Jesus in representing His sacrifice as the Pascal Lamb to believers through the Eucharistic celebration. The Gospel of John reveals the Servant described by Isaiah as He models humility, service and love to His friends. This is the fruit of the communion which Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church from the fourth century, expresses as being made of the same body and the same blood with Him. Our mission to wash feet is made achievable through our intimate acceptance of His Person and leadership in our lives.

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