BY CLARA A RODRIGUES
“What greater love can a person have for his friend than to give up his life for his sake.” These weren’t just mere words to Jesus Christ. It was the guiding principle of his life.
The words ring all the more louder in the moment when the institution of Christianity was founded. Maundy Thursday also known as Holy Thursday is the day Jesus established the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and priesthood.
Sacraments are signs reminding us of God’s unceasing love for us. Holy Thursday gives us a canvass of themes to meditate upon. Rev Fr Blaise Mascarenhas of the Pilar Society of priests adds that on this day, another great symbol was instituted which almost has proportions of being called a sacrament. “It was the sacrament of service. Jesus by washing the feet of his followers after the Last Supper demonstrated his commandment of loving one another,” explains Rev Fr Mascarenhas.
‘Maundy’ actually is a corruption of the Latin word ‘mandate’ informs Rev Fr Francisco Caldeira. “This day is a symbol of Jesus’ love for us. The Lord’s work has to continue and hence the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and priesthood were instituted to carry forward the mandate of God’s love for us,” he says.
An important aspect attached to the Maundy Thursday service is the celebration of the anticipated Mass of the Sacred Chrism, which is generally held prior to Maundy Thursday. At this Mass all the priests together with the bishop come together and celebrate the blessings of the three kinds of oils that is used for the administration of the sacraments-baptism, confirmation, ordination and anointing of the sick. Thus, Maundy Thursday also comes to symbolise the unity of the priesthood, adds Rev Fr Caldeira.
Everything about this moment is solemn and yet it carries a tone of joyful hope in anticipation of Christ’s resurrection which symbolises victory over sin. In Goa, the dramatic representation of Christ’s intense sufferings is held in almost every parish. Later, the priest washes the feet of 12 members of the parish which is symbolic of the need to serve others in humility and simplicity. This is followed by a night vigil where the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place.
The preparation of hot cross buns on Maundy Thursday holds a lot symbolism too. Says Rev Fr Mascarenhas, hot cross buns are given to the people to take and share with their families. Earlier plain bread was used but now it has come to be replaced with hot cross buns.”
Christ leaves behind powerful teachings of love, sacrifice and redemption.
He leaves behind a faith so strong; that the whole world will know that we are Christians by our love.
