Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
Maundy Thursday
In other years: Blessed Lucien Botovasoa (1908-1947); Blessed Peter Gonzalez OP (-1246)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests to the Monastery
Mass: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Resp Ps 89; Rev 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21/Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Resp Ps 116; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15
I will call upon the name of the Lord.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
PRAY FOR US.
The sacrament of charity, the Holy Eucharist is the gift that Jesus Christ makes of Himself, thus revealing to us God's infinite love for every man and woman.
(Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum caritatis, 1)
One way to begin this day is with the words of Saint Melito of Sardis, bishop (100-180), from an Easter homily: "There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover; that mystery is Christ, and to Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (in Office of Readings, Holy Week, Thursday).
The following poem, from Ranier Maria Rilke (1875-1926), was read at Lauds this morning.
OF THE MARRIAGE AT CANA
Could she do otherwise than be proud
of him who made the simplest beautiful to her?
Was not even the lofty, large-accustomed
night as if beside itself when he appeared?
Did not also his once having lost himself
incredibly redound to his glory?
Had not the wisest exchanged ears
for mouths? And was not the house
as new at his voice? Ah,
surely she had hundreds of times restrained
herself from radiating her delight
in him. She followed him amazed.
But there at that wedding feast,
when unexpectedly there was no wine,-
she looked across and begged him for a gesture
and did not understand that he protested.
And then he did it. She realized later
how she had pressed him into his way:
for now he was really performing miracles,
and the whole sacrifice was decreed,
irresistibly. Yes, it was written.
But was it already prepared?
She: she had brought it on
in the blindness of her vanity.
At the table full of fruits and vegetables
she rejoiced with the rest and did not understand
that the water of her tear glands
had turned to blood with this wine.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
(1 Cor 11:26)
BLESSED LUCIEN BOTOVASOA,
BLESSED PETER GONAZALEZ,
PRAY FOR US.
NB. We pray especially for priests today, as they celebrate the Chrism Mass. How fitting too that our reading from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict is from Ch 60 on the admission of priests to the monastery. One thing Saint Benedict teaches is this, for any priest who asks to be received into the monastery: "He must recognize that he is subject to the discipline of the rule, and not make exceptions for himself, but rather give everyone an example of humility" (RB 60:5). Our holy father's exhortation seems relevant for all times. May Saint John Vianney intercede for all priests. Thank you, all priests, religious and diocesan, for your service to God and the Church.
Friendly reminder that the Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord begins today, with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. United in faith and prayer, we march on to Jerusalem.
Today's photo: This one can speak for itself.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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