 |
| The Last Supper By Leonardo Da Vinci |
Today, Holy Thursday marks the start of the Holy Triduum, a series of days of very important events of Jesus's life that is part of God's ultimate plan to save mankind.
Most non-christians would not know what Holy Thursday represents; But i bet you seen (the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci) or heard before about the 'Last Supper'. Hence, Holy Thursday is the day the Last Supper event occurs.
Here, the Last Supper is really the last supper Jesus partake before he was crucified. The Last Supper has 2 very important event because:
1. Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament of Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion, where the bread turn into his body & the wine turned into his blood. Catholics believe that at every Eucharistic celebrations (every mass celebration), the priest, representing Christ on earth is able to turn the ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ to be received by baptized & practicing Catholics. Non-Catholics Christians (with certain exception to certain orthodox churches) are not allowed to receive this communion because they do not believe on this body & blood transformation that occurs during the Eucharist. (that is why you will see this soft reminder during Catholic mass services)
2. Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples including the man (Judas, seen in the picture as the man who holds the money purse) that will betray him later on. So today is the day , you will see the priest going down on his knees to wash the feet of 12 selected people during the mass service. This is to remind that although Jesus is Lord & Master, he comes to serve mankind humbly and not to be served although he deserved so. And this shows how much he loves us so much that he humbled himself to wash his disciples' feet which traditionally at that time is a task reserved for a servant.
After that, Jesus retreated to the garden to pray, knowing well that he will be betrayed later on by Judas and crucifixion & suffering will follow soon. Yet he is willing to accept God's salvation plan which involves him dying on the cross as a path for mankind's salvation.
Hence, Holy Thursday is a solemn celebration (there is no band playing music during the mass celebration) as Jesus progresses toward his crucifixion on Good Friday, which is tomorrow. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, as we pray & reflect upon Jesus's last moments in prayer before his excruciating and humiliating suffering on the cross.
0 comments
Post a Comment