In this painting by Sieger Koder (click on image for larger version) the Lord washes Peter's feet, the bread and the cup of the eucharist on the table nearby. As the scriptures relate, Peter is objecting and protesting Christ's humble gesture. Jesus' face is hidden in service but reflected in the water in the basin. Note the Lord's own dirty feet: he serves others, taking care of their needs, before seeing to his own...
The Paschal Triduum begins with the entrance song for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. Lent has ended and we are about the work of the church: offering praise and thanks to God for the mercy, love and forgiveness that is ours in the dying and rising of Christ. We do this in memory of Jesus Christ, our passover and our lasting peace...
Although we easily associate the Lord's Supper and this particular liturgy with the Eucharist, the gospel for this day is John's account of the supper on the eve of Jesus' death and in this account the Eucharist is not mentioned. Rather, John presents us with Jesus the servant, washing the feet of his disciples and instructing them that just as he has done for them, so must they do for each other... And just has Christ did for them, so must we do for each other...
Most parishes will celebrate the rite called the Mandatum (from the Latin referring to the new command, the mandate Jesus gives his disciples that they should love one another.) In some communities the priest will wash the feet of 12 persons while in other communities the priest will wash the feet of a few who in turn wash the feet of others who in turn wash the feet of others... until all who so desire have had an opportunity to have their feet washed and in turn to wash another's feet...
In some earlier rites, the newly baptized were given a towel as a reminder of their mission to be of service to others...
Following the Mandatum is the liturgy of the Eucharist. Enough bread will be consecrated to provide communion for tomorrow's liturgy because the Eucharist is not celebrated on Good Friday.
Following communion, the ministers and the people process with the Eucharist to a chapel or altar where the Eucharist is kept overnight. In most places, the church remains open until midnight for people to return and pray.
After Christ's supper with his disciples on the night before he died, they went to the garden of Gethsemane where the Lord asked his friends to be with him in prayer. You'll remember from Palm Sunday's gospel that they kept falling asleep, unable to keep their eyes open. As he told them, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." This night the Lord invites us to spend some time with him in prayer. The place is less important than the time... Some may not be able to stay at church or to return later: just take some time at home to be with the Lord...
-ConcordPastor
I went to mass last year on Holy Thursday, my first time and I am several decades old, and it was a wonderful experience. It really made Easter more real to me - it touched me like never before. After mass all I could wonder is why this was not a holy day so that all people would experience this. I thank my daughter why was an alter server for opening the door for me to go.
ReplyDeleteTeacher
Re the Mandatum...how is this done in your communities, Concordpastor and others? I've witnessed it with 12 men, with men and women representing different aspects of parish life. I've seen only 6 people. My favorite way and to me the most meaningful is when the priest presider washes the feet of several, who then wait for others to come forward from the assembly. They in turn wash the feet of someone and so on...until anyone who wishes to come forward, has done so. This way can take a while but it is truly a homily in action. Very moving when prayerful music is played and sung throughout the rite.
ReplyDeleteAnne
I was out to dinner last night with three other pastors, all of whom invite any who choose to come forward to have their feet washed and to wash another's feet. While I believe this happens in a number of places in the Archdiocese, I would guess that in most places the pastor washes the feet of 12 parishioners.
ReplyDeleteI remember the flap Cardinal O'Malley caused his first Holy Thursday at the Cathedral in Boston when only men were chosen to participate in the washing of feet. Since then, women have been included!
ReplyDelete