Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Mass Readings

• First Reading Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
• Second Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• Gospel John 13:1-15

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

Exodus 12 sets the rules for the night Israel walked out of Egypt, probably in the thirteenth century B.C.: a year-old lamb without blemish, its blood daubed on the doorposts, its flesh eaten in haste with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, sandals on and staff in hand. Paul’s account, written to Corinth around 54 A.D., is the oldest written record of the words “This is my body that is for you,” handed on within about twenty-five years of the night itself.

1. 13th c. B.C.Israel’s first Passover
2. c. 20 B.C.Herod begins the Temple
3. c. 18 A.D.Caiaphas becomes high priest
4. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
5. This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.The Last Supper

Climb to a large upper room in Jerusalem on the evening before the feast; scholars mostly favor 30 A.D. Lamps flicker on their stands. The Twelve recline on cushions around low tables, leaning on their left elbows, feet stretched out behind them, still dusty from the roads. Smell the bread, the wine and the oil of the lamps. Outside, the city is full and noisy with pilgrims.

Watch Jesus rise from the supper, lay aside His outer garment and tie a towel around His waist. Washing feet was slave’s work, so lowly that later rabbis said a Jewish servant should not be made to do it. Hear the water splash into the basin. He is kneeling and moving along the couches, one man at a time. Stretch out your own feet, and wait for Him to reach you.

Encounter the Lord

Sit at the table in the upper room. The lamps are lit, the Passover cups are on the table, and Jesus rises, takes off His outer garment, and kneels in front of you with a basin of water. He takes your feet in His hands.

Peter’s first reaction is the one many of us share: “You will never wash my feet.” It is hard to let God serve us. But Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Then He gives Himself completely: “This is my body that is for you.” Tonight He institutes the Eucharist and the priesthood that will make it present until He comes again. Everything He asks of you, to serve, to forgive, to love, He first does for you.

Tonight, stay for a while at the altar of repose. Jesus asked His friends to keep watch with Him one hour. Give Him that hour, or whatever you can.

Know Your Faith

The Memorial of His Sacrifice

At the Last Supper, on the night He was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of His Body and Blood to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages (CCC 1323). The Eucharist makes present the one sacrifice of the cross; only the manner of offering is different (CCC 1366-1367).

Truly Present

In the Eucharist the Body and Blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ are truly, really and substantially contained (CCC 1374). By the consecration the whole substance of the bread and wine is changed into His Body and Blood (CCC 1376).

The Gift of the Priesthood

By commanding “Do this in memory of me,” the Lord instituted His apostles as priests of the New Covenant (CCC 611, 1337). Priests exercise their sacred office supremely in the Eucharist, acting in the person of Christ (CCC 1566).

Love to the End

Having loved His own, Jesus loved them to the end. During the meal He washed their feet and gave them the commandment of love (CCC 1337). He wanted to remain with us in the sacrament of His love (CCC 1380).