Maundy Thursday is the memorial of the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples as well as of the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and of Priesthood. St John gives us the context in which these two sacraments were instituted: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (Jn 13,1). This verse proclaims Christ’s self-sacrificial love for his chosen ones.
At the moment of consecration, the priest acts in persona Christi when he says: “This is my Body which will be given up for you... This is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me”. Christ, the Son of the Living God, is present in the person of the priest. Wherever he goes, the priest is carrying in his whole being the very presence of Jesus. The priest is the prominent witness of God’s sublime love for humanity: the giving of himself in the consecrated bread and wine, for the life of the world.
In order for the priest to be an eloquent example to the flock he ministers to, he needs the support of the Christian community. It is really of great relief for us priests knowing that among the people of God, there are individuals who are chosen by Christ to accompany us.
Their prayer, fasting, encouragement and life-giving words are oasis of grace and hope for us priests who struggle to live with commitment our priestly life. As people we have our mistakes and shortcomings. Yet we all know that Christ has never given up on us, nor is he going to do so in the future. He has never abandoned us in our failings and periods of difficulty. Let us welcome with humility and thanksgiving the people he sends in our lives to assist us in our journey of fidelity to him and his Church.
With earnest love and compassion, Christ is gazing at us today and is personally calling us to follow him anew: “Do you love me more than these?” (Jn 21, 15). The question made by Jesus to Simon Peter is repeated three times in the Gospel of St John. If the number three in the Bible is associated with completeness or resurrection, the very words of this simple yet powerful question are to motivate us to seek the face of Christ. It is only Christ’s compassionate face and presence that resurrects us from our sin and makes us complete. It is Christ’s loving presence through the people who want us restored that is inspiring us to look with great joy, courage and hope to “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21, 1) already present in our calling.
Dear brothers in the priesthood, let us not forget that Christ’s faith in us will never ebb. It is our fidelity that may wane from time to time. Even if that happens, if we look around us we cannot fail from noticing that the Good Lord will never forget his loving covenant he made with us on the day of our priestly ordination. “His steadfast love endures for ever” (Ps 100, 5), especially in moments when as human beings with Christ on the cross we exclaim to the Father: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27, 46). In that moment of anguish, agony and pain Christ never ceases to invite us to enter in his heart: “Follow me.” (Jn 21, 19). May we today remember once more that we as priests and beloved disciples, can shine like a light beaming over the whole world when we let Jesus love us, and draw us close to his heart (Jn 13, 23) in his own way.
Fr Mario AtTard OFM Cap
San Gwann