Holy Thursday: (Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; I Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15)

The Stole and the Towel is the title of a book, which sums up the message of the Italian bishop, Tony Bello, who died of cancer at the age of 58.  On Holy Thursday of 1993, while on his deathbed, he dictated a pastoral letter to the priests of his diocese.  He called upon them to be bound by “the stole and the towel.”  The stole symbolizes union with Christ in the Eucharist, and the towel symbolizes union with humanity by service.  Today we celebrate the institution of both the Eucharist and the priesthood: the feast of “the stole and the towel,” the feast of love and service.

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate three anniversaries: 1) the anniversary of the first Holy Mass, 2) the anniversary of the institution of ministerial priesthood 3) the anniversary of the promulgation of Jesus’ new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). 

Jesus transformed the Jewish Passover into the Eucharistic celebration.  First, he washed His Apostles’ feet – a tender reminder of his undying affection for them and the need for the brotherly love expected in his disciples. Then he commanded them to do the same for each other. The incident reminds us that our vocation is to take care of one another as Jesus always takes care of us. Finally, Jesus gave his apostles his own Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine as Food and Drink for their souls, so that, as long as they lived, they’d never be without the comfort and strength of his presence. This Gospel episode challenges us to become for others Christ the healer, Christ the compassionate and selfless brother, Christ the humble “washer of feet.”

John in his account of the Last Supper, makes no mention of the establishment of the Eucharist because his theology of the Eucharist is detailed in the “bread of life” discourse following the multiplication of the loaves and fish around the time of Passover, in chapter 6 of his Gospel. Jesus, the Son of God, began his last Passover celebration by washing the feet of his disciples (a service assigned to household servants), as a lesson in humble service, demonstrating that he “came to the world not to be served but to serve.” (Mk 10:45). He followed the ritual of the Jewish Passover meal up to the second cup of wine. The third cup he changed into his own blood and the fourth he said he will not drink until he is glorified. After serving the roasted lamb as a third step, Jesus offered his own Body and Blood as food and drink under the appearances of bread and wine. Thus, he instituted the Holy Eucharist as the sign and reality of God’s perpetual presence with His people as their living  heavenly food.  This was followed by the institution of the priesthood with the command, “Do this in memory of me.”   Jesus concluded the ceremony with a long speech incorporating his command of love: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). Jesus’ death on the cross was his serving the humanity with all of his life. When we humble ourselves and bent down in the service of others we are following Christ in his teachings and examples.

Peggy Noonan, former White House speechwriter, speaks about Ronald Reagan’s one example of service. She says:  A few days after President Reagan had been shot, when he was able to get out of bed, he wasn’t feeling well, so he went into the bathroom that connected to his room. He slapped some water on his face and some of the water slopped out of the sink. He got some paper towels and got down on the floor to clean it up. An aide went in to check on him and found the president on his hands and knees on the cold tile floor, mopping up water with paper towels. “Mr. President,” the aide said, “what are you doing? Let the nurse clean that up!” President Ronald Reagan said, “Oh, no. I made that mess, and I’d hate for the nurse to have to clean it up.”  This type of attitude to do humble jobs which is others’ share, we end up washing their feet.

President Nelson Mandela of South Africa was one of those rare politicians who had the common touch even when the cameras were not rolling. When he spoke at banquets, he made a point of going into the kitchen and shaking hands with every dishwasher and busboy. When out in public he often worried his bodyguards because he was prone to stop to talk with a little child. Typically, he would ask, “How old are you son?” Then his next question was, “What did you have for breakfast today?” In that strange, wonderful company called the Kingdom of God, even the bosses wash feet. Pope Francis knelt down and kissed the feet of South Sudan’s government and opposition leaders after urging them to restore peace, which has been in civil war since 5 years. This is servant leadership. Have we allowed Jesus to give us a servant’s heart and servant’s hands? Be servant leaders in a serving community. This servant mentality can be shown in our families too.

Our celebration of the Eucharist requires that we wash one another’s feet, i.e., serve one another and revere Christ’s presence in other persons.   To wash the feet of others is to love them, especially when they don’t deserve our love, and to do good to them, even when they can’t, won’t, or don’t return the favor. It is to consider others’ needs to be as important as our own. It is to forgive others from the heart, even though they don’t say, “I’m sorry.” It is to serve them, even when the task is unpleasant. It is to let others know we care when they feel downtrodden or burdened. It is to be generous with what we have. It is to turn the other cheek instead of retaliating when we’re treated unfairly. It is to make adjustments in our plans in order to serve others’ needs without expecting any reward. In doing and suffering all these things in this way, we love and serve Jesus himself, as he has loved us and has taught us to do (Mt 25:31-ff).

 Peter refused to have his feet washed. Jesus told him, ‘If I do not wash your feet, you can have no companionship with Me.’ “Let’s tell Jesus that my/our feet are dirty…. Pour water into your basin and come and wash my feet, because I do want Your companionship.” And help me also have the attitude to wash others’ feet.