Holy Thursday - April 14, 2022

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Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14             1 Corinthians 11:23-26           John 13:1-15


Each Sunday, we Catholics remember together that sacred meal when Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to his disciples. However, it is on Holy Thursday when we remember another sequence of events that happened that same night when Jesus rose from supper, took off his outer garments, tied a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of his followers. It is this ritual act, so beautifully demonstrated in the liturgical tradition of the Visitation community that I will forever associate with one of the most moving faith experiences I’ve had. It happened at another sacred meal when my Catholic parish joined with a nearby Jewish synagogue for a Passover Seder.
 
That night, at a Jewish celebration, the assembly witnessed the same ritual washing remembered in the Gospel of John. As we were planning our interfaith Seder, we discussed the various rituals associated with our respected seasons of freedom. The rabbi was so moved by this story of Jesus and the Christian ritual of foot-washing and he was eager to add it to the order of the evening.  
 
Following the first handwashing ritual of the Seder, both clergy took turns tying a towel around their waste, pouring water in to a basin and, kneeling at the other’s feet, performed this humble act of love for one another. It was a powerful moment that brought tears to the eyes of many of us. For me, it represented the hope that has risen from the ashes of Auschwitz. With this simple gesture of service born out of Love between a priest and a rabbi, the darkness of the past was conquered once again by God’s saving power and I felt like I had witnessed the Resurrection for myself.
 
Q: What are the “resurrection experiences” I have witnessed in my life?

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