HOLY THURSDAY 2007

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

I Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15

“ I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

What has Jesus done to us? What example has he set for us? In the context of today's liturgy it seems to me that it is twofold.

Jesus has 1) washed our feet and 2) given us his body and blood as our food and drink. And these two are really one. They can be expressed in one pithy phrase – and if there is only one thing you remember from my words today, I would hope it would be this one phrase:

JESUS GIVES HIMSELF TO US.

It can sound trite. It can be turned into a saccharine phrase devoid of any significant meaning. But it holds a deep mystery; it is a well of inexhaustible fruitfulness, a treasure that can be mined for a lifetime.

JESUS GIVES HIMSELF TO US.

Let us look at each of the words that make up this phrase.

JESUS. Who is this Jesus who gives himself to us? What have we just heard? “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am.” And a little earlier the evangelist had noted: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God….” As we proclaim in the Creed: Jesus is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. Begotten not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.

My brothers and sisters, this is the mystery with which we are dealing. This is the reality that we cannot grasp all at once, but must continually meditate on, be in communion with. Jesus is Son of God in Power.

And this Jesus, very God, GIVES HIMSELF. He hands over himself. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” He gives himself to us in so many ways. Today he washes our feet. He performs the menial task of a lowly servant. He proclaims: I am one of you. I am here for you. He gives himself to us as food and drink, to be our nourishment, our sustenance. He gives his life for our life – unto the end. This is a special phrase in St John . It doesn't just mean to the end of his life in a mere chronological sense. It means to the utmost, till there was nothing more to give, till his life was completely poured out, till there remained nothing for himself, but was totally given to others.

And finally, Jesus gives himself TO US. It is to you and to me that he gives himself. It is for each one of us – the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the fat and the thin, the talented and the handicapped, the old and the young, the honored and the dishonored. Jesus makes no distinction of persons. Do you notice when Jesus washes the feet? Even the feet of Judas, the one who was to betray him, are washed. Perhaps a last attempt to save him, to bring about a change. It is for you and for me that Jesus gives himself.

My brothers and sisters, ought not we to do the same? The more we allow this reality that Jesus gives himself to us to sink into our minds and hearts, the more we are brought to the realization that we are called to do likewise. We are recipients of the gifts of God to pass them on. Do you remember St Bonaventure's definition of God? Goodness diffusive of itself. That is what is at the heart of reality. That is what is at the heart of every one of us. Life is never to be held in a tight fist – but always with an open hand. And it seems to me that this is the grace that is offered to us in these special days.

Look at Jesus.

Look at Jesus giving himself.

Look at Jesus giving himself to us.

Go and do likewise.

“For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

May the renewal of Jesus' Paschal Mystery which we are about to celebrate, may the eating and drinking of his very body and blood, bring us to give our lives for one another.

Amen.