Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Today is the day we remember three gifts of our Lord,
1. The gift of the Eucharist
2. The gift of Priesthood
3. The gift of Service
Through these 3 gifts the Lord calls us to reflect on his love and mercy.
1. Through the Eucharistic sacrifice Jesus empties himself and shows us that he loves us completely (Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end Jn 13: 1b). His body and blood that he offers to us is a reminder of this self emptying love. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, it serves us as a reminder – a memorial of this unconditional love.
2. The gift of priesthood is also another calling of love. By the institution of sacred orders, Jesus wants his disciples to carry forward the mission of love, that love which they have experience from Jesus. Like a man who leaves his father and mother to unite with a woman, so does a priest leave his father and mother to unite with the Church the bride of Christ. His role as a priest primarily is to give the love of Christ to all.
3. The gift of service – our Lord and master washed the feet of his disciples. He humbled himself even though he is the son of God. Through this service he gives us a new commandment – a commandment of love. To love one another as Christ loved us is to serve our brothers and sisters, no matter who we are or what our position is in society. We receive Christ in the Eucharist and grow spiritually, but true spiritual transformation can only be said to happen when we serve our brothers and sisters.
During these troubled times we have a challenge to reach out to those in need. Many have difficulties because of the current situation, we may not be able to do much. But the little that we do will go a long way. Let us experience the love of our Lord and let us also share this love through our words and service.