Holy Thursday is the
commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the
sacrament of Holy Communion prior
to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the
priesthood. The holy day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of
Holy Week. Jesus celebrated the dinner as a Passover feast. Christ
would fulfill his role as the Christian victim of the Passover for all to be
saved by His final sacrifice.
The Last Supper was the final meal Jesus shared
with his Disciples in Jerusalem and during this Passover meal…..Jesus
took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said,
“Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and
gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood
of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of
sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the
vine until the day when I drink it with you now in the kingdom of my Father.”
Matthew
26: 26-29
It is believed those who eat of Christ’s
flesh and blood shall have eternal life.
Christ also establishes the special priesthood for his disciples, which is
distinct from the “priesthood of
all believers.” Christ washed the feet of his Disciples, who would
become the first priests.
Services in St. Mary’s on Thursday 6th April – Holy Thursday
@ 7:30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(Watching at the Altar of Repose until 10:30pm)