Holy Thursday

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On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread. These words from the Eucharistic prayer have always moved me. The Last Supper in many ways tells us who Jesus is, which is why the Church begins the celebration of its holiest days, the Easter Triduum, on Holy Thursday, night recalling the Lord’s supper and the gift of the Eucharist.

The timing of this supper is a vital part of its message. Jesus gave the great gift of the Eucharist not in the middle of His ministry, when His popularity was growing and people were ready to acclaim Him as a prophet and perhaps even a king. Nor did He wait to give us this sacrament after He had already risen from the dead and the story had a happy ending.

We remember that Jesus gave Himself to His disciples, and to all of us, on the night before He was to die. More importantly, He gave this gift to a group of followers who He knew were going to disappoint, disavow, and even betray Him. Jesus knew His disciples, with all their bluster and their jealousies. It was to these people, who were about to flee and leave Him alone, that Jesus gave the most precious gift. Jesus even offered the special morsel of bread, a sign of honor and friendship, to Judas Iscariot, who had sold him out.

The Last Supper is the greatest testament to hope, the moment in which Jesus shows us the true face of God, who even in the midst of our sins and rejection offers us His love. Jesus had often reprimanded his disciples, put them in their place, and chided them for their lack of faith and understanding; but Jesus never abandoned them, never threw them out. As St. Paul reminds us, even if they were unfaithful, He remained faithful, even to dying on the cross.

Jesus’ behavior that night impressed St. Francis and led him to instruct his followers: “All my brothers: let us pay attention to what the Lord says, Love your enemies and do good to those that hate you. For our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow, called His betrayer a friend and willingly offered Himself to His executioners.” (From the Earlier Rule, Chapter XXII, 1-2)

It is no wonder the Church always begins these highest holy days with the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday night, and why the Eucharist is so central to our lives as disciples.

Br. Bobby Barbato, ofm cap.

Pastor, Mission Santa Inés

Solvang, California