Holy Thursday reflection

by Carmel Little, CSJP

This day is not a day
for asking questions,
not a day on any calendar.
This day is conscious of itself.
This day is a lover,
Bread and gentleness.

These are words of the poet, Rumi – I don’t think he had Holy Thursday in mind when he wrote them- but to me they are very appropriate for this day.

This day is not a day for asking questions – it is a day for receiving the gift.

This is not a day on any calendar – it is a day that transcends all time.

This day is a lover, bread and gentleness. Jesus said, “I have longed to eat this Passover supper with you.”

This day is a day of remembering:

In all three of our readings we have meals of remembering.

As we heard in the first reading from Exodus; “This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate.”

The question the youngest child asks at the Passover Seder meal is, Why is this night different from all other nights? And the story is told year after year how God was with the people throughout their journey. The Jewish people remember and celebrate the faithfulness of God. Throughout the Hebrew scriptures we hear that word remember over and over – remember and do not forget the goodness of Yahweh.

To remember is to make make present. We remember - we make present.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he gives us the words of Jesus –“on the night he was handed over, he took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Remember me when you break bread - I will be present –

When we share the cup we remember and we make present – Christ Jesus really present with us – and that is why we say the real presence. So, on this evening we remember – and we do what Jesus did – we break bread and share the cup and in our remembering Jesus is present in our midst.

As I was reflecting on this homily I remembered the last meal with friends who have died. The strongest memory is with Mary Fleming. My last meal with her was at Torero’s over in Factoria. Remember when she came out to see Joan Leonard she had just broken her arm? I can still see her sitting across the table from me with her arm in a sling – we had the best conversation that night. She was in such a great place in her life. Many things that had troubled her had been resolved. Even on that night I remember being so grateful that she was so content and happy. Of course all this came into greater focus for me when she died – what a week later?

I remember that night gratefully – but I also remember Mary in another way.

When she lived in Washington DC – she walked to the college where she was taking classes. And the sisters there told me she always had a wad of dollar bills so she could give to the street people. I try to follow her example. When I give a dollar to someone who is needy and asking for help – I do it in memory of Mary. That is one way I can continue her spirit and make her presence felt in the world today.

When we break the bread and share the cup we are also committing ourselves to “remember the way in which Jesus lived and the way he ministered to people.” This breaking bread is not to be an empty gesture and that is why John in the gospel this evening – gives us another way that we remember and make Jesus present – the washing of the feet. During the supper he rose and took off his out garments…he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of his disciples. When Jesus sits down he says –“ You see what I have done – I, your teacher have washed your feet – then you must wash each other’s feet.” For John this act is as important as breaking the bread and sharing the cup. John Paul II in his letter on the Eucharist says, “It is not by chance that the Gospel of John contains no account of the institution of the Eucharist but instead relates the “washing of the feet”; By bending down to wash the feet of his disciples, Jesus explains the meaning of the Eucharist unequivocally.” - a call to be one with others - to act like him…to love like he did; Jesus in essence says to us: in remembrance of me share your bread with the hungry; shelter the homeless–work to end homelessness in your city - make room for the immigrant – keep contacting your legislators so that we can have a just system for immigrants - seek peace based on justice -ensure a just wage for workers –– listen to the sadness of those who are grieving – be with those who are sick – be hospitable and generous with what you have - say a kind word to those you meet.

The poet David Whyte says:

This is the time
Of loaves
and fishes.
People are hungry,
And one good word is bread
For a thousand.

Remembering is remembering what Jesus was about. We have the ritual of the washing of the feet tonight - a symbolic way of remembering how Jesus lived his life in service to others. Breaking bread with others and sharing the cup is our commitment to wash each other’s feet. By our actions we remember – and make Jesus present in our world today.

This day is not a day
for asking questions,
not a day on any calendar.
This day is conscious of itself.
This day is a lover,
Bread and gentleness.