Holy Thursday - April 9, 2020
Gospel: “This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me...This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, do this in remembrance of me” 1 Corinthians 11.23-26
There was a scientific discovery regarding the survivors from the venomous sting of corona virus that they were able to develop new anti bodies circulating in their bloodstream. While it will take time to perfect the vaccine and specific medication for this deadly disease, the medical experts highly recommend a blood transfusion from survivors to those who are severely ill because the plasma in the blood helps the patient develops his own anti bodies so that he can also combat the virus conquering his body.
Today we are commemorating the institution of the Holy Eucharist. It is all about the total self giving of the Lord’s life in the form of Bread and Wine to us. As Catholics we firmly believe that the host and the wine thru transubstantiation were changed into the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This particular day, we are invited to reflect on the richness of faith especially our devotion to the Holy Eucharist. First, the offering of His body for us signifies His willingness to give his entire life for us. He is ever ready to endure everything even suffering and death only to prove His tremendous love for us. This is indeed the evidence and confirmation of what He said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend”. Second, his readiness to pour out His blood for us is a sign of His perfect sincerity. It is all about His unconditional love which means that He is not expecting anything good in return for the immense love that He had offered for us. He will continue to love us no matter what we do whether we accept or reject Him in our life.
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist is not just the untold love story of history of salvation but the sublime act of Christ is definitely beneficial to us. The clue is the blood. Jesus Christ was the first born to conquer sin and death that in His blood runs that element which is the spirit of God that He was able to conquer death. Likewise, we must receive the Holy Eucharist because of the importance of the Blood of Christ which will certainly help us resist the temptation of sin. Without the blood of Christ, we are like the helpless patients against this infirmity. With the blood of Christ, we can develop our resistance to sinfulness. With the blood of Christ, we can be like Him, ready to offer our body to protect, love and serve our neighbours. Keep in mind the Israelites in the first reading, the first born child was spared from imminent death because of the blood of the Lamb.
Maundy Thursday is the day in which God has given us the commandments of love. We are soldiers of Christ sent to spread the virus of Christ’s love into the world. The holy Eucharist is our strength to fulfil Jesus commandment for us, love one another as I have loved you.