Exo. 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Jn. 13:1-15
As we gather to contemplate the mystery of the Last Supper, we are drawn into one of the most intimate and profound moments in the life of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John paints this scene not merely as a farewell meal but as a deep theological act—an act of love, service, and self-giving. The words echo: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) This “end” is not simply the conclusion of a chapter but the fullness of love, a love that endures, a love that continues—especially in the Holy Eucharist.
Today’s Passage gives three profound messages:
- Lessons in Leadership
- The Eucharist as the enduring presence of Jesus on Earth.
- Institution of the Sacrament of Priesthood
Maundy Thursday holds a sacred place in the Christian calendar, as it commemorates the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and one of the most profound lessons Jesus ever gave on leadership—when He washed the feet of His disciples. In a world where leadership is often equated with power, position, and prestige, Maundy
Thursday reveals the true nature of Christian leadership: to serve, not to be served.Throughout Scripture, leadership is not defined by domination but by devotion to others. In the Old Testament, leaders like Moses and David were not chosen for their power or eloquence but for their faithfulness and humility. Moses initially resisted God’s call, saying, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11). David, the youngest and least likely among his brothers, was chosen not for his outward appearance but because God saw his heart (1 Samuel 16:7). These leaders were deeply aware that their strength came from God, and their purpose was to shepherd and serve God's people.
In the New Testament, this concept finds its full expression in Jesus Christ. He repeatedly taught that greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured not by authority, but by service. In Mark 10:43-45, Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This teaching was not merely theoretical. Jesus lived it, and Maundy Thursday is perhaps the most powerful visual demonstration of this truth.
John 13 gives a moving account of what happened during the Last Supper. Jesus, fully aware of His identity and destiny, does something unthinkable. He gets up from the table, wraps a towel around His waist, and begins to wash the disciples’ feet—an act reserved for the lowest servant. Peter, shocked, resists, but Jesus gently teaches him that unless he accepts this humility, he can have no part with Him.
The washing of feet was more than a gesture of hospitality; it was a revolutionary act. In the culture of Jesus’ time, leaders were expected to assert dominance, not humility. Yet Jesus, their Rabbi and Master, chose to kneel before them in service. He ends the act by saying, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). This was a commissioning—not to a position of honor but to a lifestyle of humble service.
A striking example comes from the corporate world. Max De Pree, the former CEO of Herman Miller, practiced servant leadership long before it became a buzzword. Every Thursday, he spent time in the company cafeteria—not for photo opportunities or employee evaluations, but to sit, eat, and talk with janitors, kitchen staff, and factory workers. He believed that leadership was not about command, but community. He said, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.”
Another modern story is about James, a principal in a rural school in Kenya. When funding fell short and the school faced severe sanitation issues, he took it upon himself to clean the toilets every morning before the students arrived. When asked why he, a leader, would do such work, he said, “How can I teach my children dignity unless I show them what it means to respect every role and every person?”
In a time when leadership is often corrupted by pride, competition, and ego, Jesus invites us to a different path. Servant leadership is not weakness; it is the strongest form of love. It is not about losing authority but using authority for the good of others. It begins by seeing others as worthy of our time, care, and respect.
In our homes, it means parents who lead with compassion rather than control. In our workplaces, it means supervisors who listen, encourage, and empower their teams. In the Church, it means pastors and leaders who walk among the people, not above them. And in society, it means using our positions, however small, to lift others up rather than push them down.
Maundy Thursday is not just a memory; it is a mission. When Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19), He referred not only to the breaking of bread but also to the breaking of pride. He calls us to remember not just His sacrifice, but His service—and to repeat it in our lives.
The second message is: The Eucharist is instituted as the enduring presence of Jesus on Earth
Throughout history, great men and women have tried to leave behind memorials that would outlast time. Pharaohs built pyramids that reached the heavens. Alexander the Great named cities after himself, hoping they would speak of his glory forever. Emperors etched their conquests in marble and bronze. Kings built palaces, and philosophers wrote volumes, yearning for permanence.
But what has time done to these attempts? Many of the wonders of the ancient world are now dust, buried under layers of earth and time. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Lost. The Temple of Artemis? Destroyed. Even the mighty Colossus of Rhodes stands no more. Human monuments fade. Words are forgotten. Statues crumble.
In contrast, what Jesus left behind on that Passover night continues to live and breathe. Not a stone temple or an inscription on marble, but bread and wine—gifts of the earth, transformed through divine mystery into his body and blood. The Eucharist.
Jesus knew that his hour had come. And in that hour, he chose not a monument of stone, not a scroll of teachings, not a statue to immortalize him, but the Eucharist—a meal, a presence, a communion that remains alive in the Church.
The Eucharist is not a symbol of something that once was; it is the real presence of Christ among us. Every time the Mass is celebrated, the sacrifice of Jesus is made present. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
Despite wars, persecutions, plagues, and divisions, the Eucharist remains. No political regime, no historical upheaval, no intellectual trend has managed to erase it. In catacombs, in deserts, in hidden churches during persecution, and in majestic cathedrals today, the Eucharist continues to proclaim: Jesus is here.
A Touching Examples of Eucharistic Presence is from the Soviet era. In a remote village in Russia, where Christianity was banned and Bibles were confiscated, there lived a small underground Christian community. Priests were imprisoned or executed. But once a month, an elderly woman would walk to a hidden place deep in the forest. There, in a hollowed-out stump, the faithful would gather. They had saved a few consecrated hosts years before when their last priest had disappeared. With reverence and tears, they would share in the Eucharist in silence. That tiny Host, fragile yet radiant, was their hope, their courage, their Christ. The presence of Jesus had not left them.
In today’s world of distractions and digital noise, many seek presence—authentic, deep, enduring presence. But where is it found? Relationships can feel shallow. Technology connects us but often leaves us isolated. Fame, wealth, knowledge—they pass like the wind.
But in the Eucharist, we find the divine answer to human longing. Here, God becomes present—silent, humble, nourishing. The altar becomes a meeting place between heaven and earth. For the one who feels alone, the Eucharist whispers: “You are not alone.” For the one who is tired, it says: “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you.” For the one searching for direction, the Eucharist becomes compass and companion.
The Third message is: Institution of the Sacrament of Priesthood.
The priesthood is not a human invention; it is the loving initiative of Christ to continue His presence in the world through frail, yet chosen, men. In Exodus 28, God called Aaron and his sons to be priests, set apart to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. They were clothed in sacred garments and consecrated through rituals of anointing and sacrifice.
But in the New Testament, Jesus becomes the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). He offers Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12), and through the apostles, He establishes a new priesthood—one that participates in His eternal priesthood.
In Hebrews 5:1, we read: “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Jesus fulfills this perfectly and then commissions the apostles to carry it forward.
In John 20:21–23, after His resurrection, Jesus breathes on the apostles and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.” Here, He empowers them with sacramental authority—another confirmation of their priestly role.
The priesthood is a noble calling—not because of privilege, but because of self-giving service. Priests stand at the altar to offer Christ to the people, and offer the people to Christ. They baptize, preach, reconcile, anoint, guide, and accompany people from birth to death. And if you ever wonder about the value of a priest, remember this: only a priest can say the words that bring heaven to earth— “This is My Body… This is My Blood.”
In a world starved of meaning, divided by violence, and fatigued by superficiality, the priest stands as a bridge between God and humanity. He reminds people that life has purpose, that sin can be forgiven, and that God still walks among us.
Priests are not just religious functionaries; they are spiritual fathers, shepherds of souls, witnesses to eternity. Even when misunderstood or attacked, their strength comes from Christ, who said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you” (John 15:16).
We must also pray for and support our priests. They are not angels—they are human beings called to a divine task. Like Peter, they may fall, but like Peter, they are restored to feed the flock (John 21:15–17). Your words of encouragement, your prayers, your understanding, and your forgiveness help them carry the cross with love.
Satish