April 9 Holy Thursday Homily
When we spend time with the Lord, we usually are looking for answers. Why is the economy bad? How can I be a good example to my kids? Why can’t the reds get their act together? We know that Jesus has the answers because he is God. The problem is that when we deal with the Lord, as we see in the Gospels, instead of giving us answers, he asks us questions. This evening he asks us a very important question: Do you realize what I have done for you?
In the Gospel, Jesus may have only been referring to the feet washing, but there is more to it than that. His question to us reaches to the very center of who we are and how we are to live. Do you realize what I have done for you? How do we answer such a question?
The answer lies in the celebration of the Mass itself. The second part of the question is What have I done for you? When we look at that we see that God has chosen to save us from sin and death by sending his Son Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary. We know from the Gospel that Jesus loves us to the end. There is nothing he will not do to redeem us and restore us to the Father’s grace. We know that the Father has put everything in Jesus’ power, and he chooses to give himself to the Father as an offering for our sins. To make us one with him and restore us to holiness, Jesus allows himself to be broken for our sins on the cross.
Finally, we know that JeEsus entrusts himself to us as our food and drink. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Jesus’ action at the Last Supper was not just some symbolic recalling of the Passover, but the real and everlasting Passover. He has come to destroy death and make us who we are: children of God entrusted with a never ending inheritance. Through the words of the priest and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, simple gifts of bread and wine become real life for us, Jesus Christ. He has made the Covenant with the Father unbreakable. This is what Jesus has done and continues to do for us until he returns in glory.
So now, we return to the first part of the question: Do we realize it? We often find ourselves taking much for granted. This is especially true of the spiritual nature of our lives. Do we realize who we are receiving? Do we realize the cost for him? Do we realize the value of the gift of God himseld who has filled this world with meaning and hope? Do we realize that Christ’s committment demands a response on our part? If we take the Gift for granted, then how do we treat the Giver?
Tonight we remember what he is still doing for us through his Church. With gratitude let us turn to the Lord with love in our hearts and praise on our lips. Let us pray: Lord we realize what you have done for us. You love us, you died for us and you give us your Body and Blood so that we may never be separated from you. You are my love, my life, my God. Give me the courage to proclaim your death and resurrection through my words and actions so that all may know your love through me.
