Eucharist and Priesthood: Holy Thursday

            Have you ever suspected you might be having a last family gathering with a loved one?  I remember when my Grandma Betty was getting up there in years wondering if this would be the last Christmas she would spend at my family’s house.  Or the last Easter.  Or the last Fourth of July.  Knowing she wouldn’t live forever helped me appreciate these last gatherings all the more.  I cherished the time I had with her and soaked in her stories and conversation.

            This is the context in which the Last Supper took place.  Jesus knew his Father’s will would soon be fulfilled.  Given the fact the disciples were often slow to understand, I wonder if they knew what was about to happen.  But having the benefit of hindsight, we can come to this Holy Thursday liturgy recognizing this was truly Jesus’ last supper.

            Jesus gave us two essential gifts during the Last Supper.  These gifts would ensure that we were never left as orphans, and that he would be with us until the end of the age.  They are so important that the Missal actually instructs priests to preach about them tonight.  These gifts are the Eucharist and the priesthood.

            In giving the disciples the Eucharist, he gave them his body and blood, soul and divinity.  He ensured his presence—his real presence—to be with his Church.  He did so in the context of the greatest Jewish feast—the Passover—in which he became the lamb to be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the people.

            It is interesting that Matthew, Mark and Luke each record the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.  But in John 13—in which a supper is alluded to but not explained in detail—there is a different focus: the washing of the feet.  Between the four Gospel accounts, we know that both the institution and the foot washing happened.  And putting this together reveals that the Eucharist must never be divorced from service of God and neighbor: “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.”  We can’t have the Eucharist alone.  We can’t have service alone.  We must have both.

            Mother Teresa was a great example of this unity.  She went to Mass everyday and spent a holy hour in Eucharistic adoration in order to serve the poor in Calcutta.  Today we have the living example of Pope Francis who likewise has Mass and spends significant time before the Blessed Sacrament.  All the while he has captivated the media with his heroic efforts with the poor.

            Jesus also gave us the priesthood.  I can’t express how grateful I am for the priests in my life.  A priest baptized me.  A priest heard my first confession and gave me first communion.  Due to a transition of bishops in our diocese, I was confirmed by a priest.  In my journey of faith countless priests have heard my confession, given me spiritual direction and friendship.  I would not be where I am in the faith today—and certainly not a priest—without the priesthood.  On Monday the priests around the diocese renewed the promises they made at ordination.  What an honor it was to be in their midst!

            And reflecting on the priesthood gives me abundant joy.  I thank God each morning for another day to serve Him and His people as a priest.  I close each day by thanking Him again.  The priesthood is the greatest gift God has given me.

            As I approach my second anniversary of ordination, it has been interesting seeing the honeymoon phase wear off.  Indeed, the priesthood is not a fairly tale.  In seminary many men were set to conquer the world, pluck souls from hell, be the priest in shining armor and get patted on the back for it.  True—all Christians are called to conquer the world for Christ and priests in a particular way lead the faithful on the path to salvation.  Yet it isn’t always glorious—sometimes being a priest is like trudging through the muck of life with someone who desperately needs help.  Bad things—suicide, rape, sickness and suffering—are realities in our broken world and a priest is meant to walk with those who are burdened.  Even in the good times—weddings, baptisms and first communions—there is an intensity to what we do.  Priesthood is not a fairy tale—it is better.

            Let’s hang onto Jesus words and actions throughout the Last Supper liturgy.  Be fervent in prayer and enter into the first stage of the Holy Triduum.  And in your prayer give God thanks and praise for the Eucharist and priesthood.