Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

The Night Love Became Visible

Tonight we are not just remembering something. We are being drawn into it. Everything we celebrate tonight—the Eucharist, the priesthood, and the commandment to love—comes from the same moment, the same table, the same night. And it begins with something very ordinary: a meal.

In the first reading from Exodus, the people are told to eat the Passover meal in haste, with sandals on their feet, ready to go, because God was about to pass through and save them. But tonight Jesus changes everything. He does not just give them a meal for a moment. He gives them Himself, forever. “This is my Body.” “This is my Blood.” Not a symbol, not a reminder, but His real presence. From that moment on, God does not just pass by His people—He remains with them. Every time we come to this altar, we are not simply remembering the Last Supper—we are there.

St. Paul reminds us of something essential when he repeats the words of Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Those words were not spoken to the crowds, but to the Apostles. In that moment, Jesus gives the Church the priesthood so that every generation, every parish, every altar would have the Eucharist. The priesthood exists for this one reason: so that Jesus can remain with His people in the Eucharist.

Then, in the Gospel, Jesus does something unexpected. He rises from the table, takes off His outer garment, and begins to wash the feet of His disciples. The Master kneels before His followers and says, “I have given you a model to follow.” This is the part we cannot skip. The Eucharist we receive must become the life we live. We cannot receive the Body of Christ and refuse to love the person next to us. We cannot come to this altar and hold onto pride, resentment, or indifference. The Eucharist transforms us so that we can go and do the same—to serve, to forgive, and to love, even when it is difficult.

Tonight we do not just hear about this—we are about to see it. In a few moments, I will move out among you, because that is exactly what Jesus did. He did not stay at a distance or remain at the head of the table. He went to His disciples. And those whose feet will be washed tonight are not set apart—they are right here among us. All of those whose feet I will wash tonight serve in our thrift shop, a quiet ministry that reaches beyond these walls. But tonight is not about them. It is about what their service points to. It is a reminder of what every one of us is called to.

As you watch this, do not simply see something being done for them. See in it what Christ has done for you, and hear in it what He is asking of you: to kneel, to serve, and to love without counting the cost.

And tonight, as we come forward to receive Him, may we not only receive His Body, but become it for one another.