A WORD FOR TODAY 18 APRIL 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

Holy or Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum(three most solemn and important days in the liturgical year and in the life of the Church). We shall celebrate the Chrism mass this morning at the Cathedral where the priests gather around their bishop in solidarity to celebrate the birthday of the priesthood and to renew their priestly promises. The bishop blesses the three oils of the Chrism, catechumen and the sick which will be used by the priests in their pastoral ministry.

In the evening we celebrate mass of the Lord's supper which is a commemoration of the passover meal our Lord Jesus Christ had with his apostles and in which He instituted the sacrament of His body and blood (Holy Eucharist) and He instructed them to keep doing it in His remembrance.

At the last supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and that of the priesthood (Holy Orders), because the two are very important and closely linked. Without the priesthood we would not continue to have the Eucharist that Jesus gave us at the upper room.

Jesus not only shared His life with the apostles, but He gave them a new commandment to follow. He humbled Himself and washed the feet of the apostles and told them to go and do the same to others. This is a teaching of service that must be characterised by humility and love. We cannot be Jesus' disciples if we cannot humble ourselves and love others as He has loved us.

The love that Jesus has laid down for us to emulate is a sacrificial one. It is a love that must be ready and willing to die in order for others to live. If we are going to participate in celebrating the Eucharist and reception of the body and blood of Christ, then our attitude and behaviour should reflect what we receive. We should be like Jesus in words and deeds and we should let His love flow from us to others around us._

We must wash each others feet with love by forgiving those who have offended us, helping the poor and the needy around us, teaching the ignorant, providing food for the hungry and shelter to the homeless and so on. We should not only think about ourselves, but how the little we have could be shared and bring joy in the hearts of others around us.

If the body and blood of Christ we receive does not make us good and move us to live and love like Jesus, then we are not worthy to be called His disciples. We must love the Eucharist, we must love the priesthood, we must love the Church, we must love others as Christ has loved us and we must continue to die everyday for others as Christ laid down His life for us.

Make sure you go to confession and be in the state of grace to receive the body and blood of Christ in this Easter season. Adore Jesus in your heart and strive every day to be like Him in your work, home, school, church, market and everywhere you find yourself.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you di your work today and do have a grace-filled Triduum. May the love of Jesus for you move you to love others as you love yourself. Amen.And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14/Psalm 116:12-13,15-18/1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Watch-Word: The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ!

The Eucharist gives life if we receive Him worthily. We must continue to change so that we will be like Jesus who has called us to come follow Him.