“Holy Thursday – What A Day”

Originally Posted April 9, 2020

Holy Thursday is great! There is almost too much to fit into a single day. When all the kids were home, at around 5:00pm we would begin with the seder meal, (unleavened bread, haroseth, lamb, bitter herbs, wine)  symbolizing the Jews’ exodus from Egypt. The youngest child would always ask, “why do we celebrate this day”.

Like the Jews getting out of Egypt in a hurry, we were always rushing to eat, clean up, and get to evening Mass. This was followed by coming home and the washing of feet. Representing Jesus washing the apostle’s feet, I would wash the feet of Judy and the kids. I made sure the water was nice and warm. The little kids were almost giddy with excitement, the older ones were acting a bit sophisticated. Someone usually had a little joke as I tried to explain the point of being a servant. (Now all the kids are grown with their own kids making a little joke.) 

Later we would go to the local parish for some more prayer. So much in one day…. the Passover revisited, the betrayal of Judas, the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus on his knees washing the feet of the Apostles, Peter’s vow to stand with Christ, and then off to the Garden of Gethsemane and the beginning of the passion. May the Holy Spirit help us to open our hearts to the greatness of this day. Holy Thursday is great!