Maundy Thursday ( Holy Thursday)

The Reason Why the Last Supper is Special

       We might ask ourselves what is so special about Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday?
It was the day that Jesus wanted to let us know that we are all loved and that we should also love everyone the same way. That is what He taught us on the night of the Last Supper, He washed the feet of all His disciples as an act of humility and love.

Jesus said: “ I am giving you a New Commandment : LOVE Each Other. Just as I have LOVED you. You should LOVE each other for your LOVE will prove to the world that you are my disciples”.[John 12: 34-35] “I  have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do. [John 13:15]
 
On that day Jesus also, instituted the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrifice of  Holy Mass and the priesthood.
 
Today in the world, everyone experiences a deep need for personal prayer. The burden of being a faithful Christian is becoming heavier in a non Christian world. To those who are heavily burdened and find life difficult, Jesus said, “Come to me and I will refresh you.” This hunger for prayer increases with the many trials and heart aches which many encounter in family life or in other situations. Jesus dwells with us in the Blessed Sacrament to fulfill His mission of  “Healing the broken hearted”.
 
It is on this day, Jesus chose to come to us under the appearance of bread because bread is made from wheat. Wheat is beaten, broken and crushed before it becomes bread. Jesus was willing to be beaten at the pillar, broken in the heart and crushed in humiliation that He may be for us, “the living bread came down from heaven.”
 
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is infinitely more powerful than all the armies that ever marched, or police forces gathered. The Eucharist is our Risen Lord with all the power of His Resurrection flowing out to all who comes into His Eucharistic Presence. His words to us today are the same forever. “ Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!” [Mark 5:50]
 
The greatest gift Jesus left us is the gift of the Holy Eucharist…where He waits for us daily.

************

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they 

were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean 

me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me 

will betray me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to 

that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not

been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

 

The Last Supper of Jesus with His Disciples

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it 
and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat;this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you.This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit 
of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my
Father’s kingdom.”

 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives......

Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane praying while the disciples fell asleep

"My soul is sorrowful even unto death.
 Remain here and watch." (St. Mark 14, 34)


PRAYER :

 

PRAYER OF THE LAST SUPPER:

O Beloved Jesus, during the Last Supper with Thy disciples Thou gave them the Most Holy Sacrament and that was the Eucharist which is commemorated every time during the Holy Mass. Jesus, Thou gave us this Holy Eucharist so that we will always be able to see Thy Holy Face presented in the Holy Eucharist. Lord Jesus, during Thy Last supper Thou enlighten the hearts of Thy disciples to take part with Thee; grant us that grace to be enlighten with Thy holy grace to be able to take part wholly during the Holy Eucharist so that by commemorating Thy Eucharistic face in the Holy Eucharist; we may come to see Thee face to face at the end of our lives. Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be partakers with Thee for all eternity in Heaven to enjoy with Thee and Thy disciples the Heavenly banquet prepared for those who love Thee and follow the Will of Thy Father. AMEN.