13 Apr
Thu
Holy Week
Ex. 12:1-8,11-14
Ps. 115:12-13,15-16bc,17-18
1 Cor. 11:23-26
Jn. 13:1-15
(Psalter proper)
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Today's celebration puts two very important things in our Christian life together. We think of today as recalling the occasion when Jesus instituted the Blessed Eucharist which plays such an important part in our Christian life. One of the greatest deprivations any Christian community can have is to be without the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist. Yet there are thousands of Catholic communities in that position because they have no priest. We should be grateful that we are not in that position. We may be surprised, then, that the Gospel chosen for today is not about what Jesus did at table during that Passover meal. Instead, it is about Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. Why read that today? Yet there is a close connection which we miss at our peril. What Jesus did was an acting out of the love that every single one of us needs to have for every other person without exception. If we are not prepared to practise that kind of love, then our celebration of the Eucharist is a sham. "By this will all know that you are my disciples" - that we attend the Eucharist faithfully every Sunday? No. We will be known as followers of Jesus "because you have love for each other". In both cases, the command is: "Do this in memory of me."



Where there is love, there is God.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the individual, social, and political rights of women may be respected in every nation.
Elaboration

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