March 20, 2008 SOLEMNITY OF HOLY THURSDAY
20 MARCH 2008
READINGS: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
SAINT MARY PARISH, VIROQUA
Introduction: This is a holy night, a night filled with symbolism and mystery!
1. Think of the times that water is mentioned in the gospels. There is Jesus’ baptism…the wedding feast where he turns water into wine…the time at the well where he gives the Samaritan woman “living water”…and now, this moment in John’s Gospel when Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the feet of his disciples. Each of these episodes reveal something about Jesus, something dramatic. And, so it is here. For the first time, we see Jesus on his knees, in abject humility, washing dirt and filth from the feet of his followers. Then he dries them with a towel, and tells them to do likewise. Through the centuries his disciples have followed this example. Christians have feed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, visited the imprisoned, clothed the naked. What has enabled them to do so? I think it was more than following his example. What enables us to serve one another is the intimacy we have with the Master.
2. A story in the Jewish tradition tells about a couple who sent their son to synagogue to learn God’s word, but each day the boy went to the forest not to the school. The parents reasoned with their boy, but to no avail. Each day he set out for synagogue; each day he skipped school and went into the woods. The parents sent the boy first to a counselor, and then to a psychiatrist, but neither professional was successful in getting the boy to change his behavior. Filled with shame, the parents came to the great rabbi to seek his help. The rabbi said, “Bring the boy to me!” Trembling, the boy approached the great teacher who reached out and brought the boy close to his chest with a strong hug. He held the youngster there for several minutes, and without a word sent the boy away. The next day the parents sent their son to synagogue and he went. He did not go to the woods until after school. “What did the rabbi say to you?” the parents asked. “What did he do?” The boy replied, “He did not say anything. He held me to his chest and I heard the beating of his heart.” We read earlier in John’s account of the Last Supper that John, the beloved disciple, laid his head against the chest of Jesus. This gesture implies an intimacy between Jesus and John. This week we should spend time just listening to the beating heart of Jesus.
3. Should we do so, we will be encouraged and strengthened to imitate his example of service and love. Surely, Dorothy Day felt that intimacy before she served food to the hungry; surely Vincent de Paul felt that intimacy before he clothed the naked; surely, Saint John Vianney felt that intimacy before he counseled the troubled. Intimacy with Jesus is what motivates Christians throughout the world to serve one another. And, here, at Eucharist that intimacy is most intense. What a gift God gives to us in the body and blood of his own Son!
Conclusion: On Good Friday we will hear another story of water; we will hear how water came forth with blood from the side of Christ. That tells us something about him and his complete love for us. We are also people of “the water.” We were baptized into the life of Christ. May we live lives of faithful service!