Homily for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

Homily for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday)
24 March 2016

       “I want to draw your attention to what Jesus did when He knelt down and He washed the feet of the Apostles. He wasn’t simply teaching a lesson by His words. And He wasn’t just simply teaching a lesson by the washing of the feet. He was teaching a lesson by what was in His Heart. . . . So . . . make sure everything that you do and in every way that you are you demonstrate that you are men of compassion.”

          These words were spoken to the men of the ordination class of 2010 for the Diocese of Pittsburgh – my class. What Bishop Zubik was teaching me and my classmates that, in all times and in all places, we are to model our lives after the example, command and Heart of Jesus Christ.

          Am I always successful in this? By no means . . .

          Yet, the Bishop wasn’t just mentioning this to me, or Father Gillespie or Father Noel. He wasn’t saying what he said so that the other members of the clergy present would overhear. He just didn’t say these thoughts out loud so that those in the Cathedral could overhear a private talk. Rather, the Bishop mentioned this idea to not only explain the priesthood to us, as well as  to remind all present of the connection that the Eucharist has to a life lived in service and in mercy.

          I have to admit that it drives me a little crazy when everyone simply sees this celebration as simply “the Eucharist.” Now, I’m not trying to downplay the importance of the Institution of the Eucharist that we celebrate this day. But if today is only about Jesus giving us a spiritual snack and saying some cryptic words at a random Passover feast, then we’re missing the point. We’re missing the point because this celebration isn’t simply recalling the Institution of the Eucharist or re-enforcing the Institution of the Priesthood that was celebrated earlier today at Saint Paul Cathedral.

          This Triduum – these three days – are lived in the shadow and paradox of the Cross. Today, Jesus not only gives us the spiritual nourishment to carry out the mission of His Church, but He ultimately gives us the example of how we are to live out what we receive.

          On this day, March 24^th, in particular, the Church remembers a modern priest who gave of his life to the point of death – Blessed Oscar Romero. As archbishop of San Salvador, Blessed Romero lived during a volatile time in his country’s history. Perhaps some of you have seen the movie Romero, which tells of the struggles – and victories – during his time as archbishop. Ultimately, Romero tried to not only stand with his people, but, also, tried to bring the message of Christ’s unconditional mercy to the people of San Salvador. Truly, he is a witness for our modern times, and truly a man who lived in the shadow and paradox of the Cross. Blessed Oscar Romero was martyred during the celebration of the Mass, giving his life bringing the compassion and mercy of God to the people in the best way possible: the celebration of the Eucharist.

          If we, who celebrate this great Sacrament here tonight, wish to be men and women who witness the compassion and mercy of God to our neighborhood, are we willing to give of our lives in the same way?

          I’m not saying that we need to seek a Mass where we will be martyred for the Faith. However, we need to ask ourselves: Do we take this great Sacrament for granted? Are we willing to be radical witnesses of the Gospel? Are we willing and able to be martyrs, being the face of the compassion and mercy of God in “everything that [we] do and in every way that [we] are”?

          Jesus washed His disciples’ feet not because He was being nice. Jesus washed His followers’ feet because He was showing us, demonstrating for us, modeling for us the humility of the Eucharist. For if the Eucharist is truly the Sacrament rooted in the Heart of God, then we who share in it must humble ourselves to be men and women of compassion. If we are to partake in this great Paschal Mystery, then you and I need to humiliate ourselves in such a way that in everything that we think, speak and do, we become “Merciful Like the Father.”

          As we enter the Mystery of this Paschal Triduum, we do so seeking to mirror what was in the Heart of Jesus when He knelt down before the Apostles and washed their feet. As we enter into these three days of suffering and joy, we seek the compassion and mercy of our God in the Eucharist we celebrate and share. To be “Merciful Like the Father,” to be compassionate like Christ, we find ways to lay down our own lives in the shadow and paradox of the Cross, which brings about for us the ability to be ministers of mercy and evangelizers of the Gospel, and, ultimately, will bring us to the full joy of the Resurrection.