"The Mass of the Lords Supper"
Holy Thursday,
Cobh
17 April 2025
My friends,
“The blessing -cup we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ” is the response to the psalm this evening of the Lords Supper in the course of which we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist itself, the source and summit’ of our life in Christ.
Over time we tend to focus on different elements of what it is we do when we gather in response to the invitation of the Lord to “Do this as a memorial of me.”
We speak of the Mass, Holy Mass, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharist or Holy Eucharist. Whatever term or title we choose the key for all who gather is a conscious choice to be graced by the presence of the Lord, in word and sacrament. It is for us a gift, grace and blessing, the appreciation of which is reflected in our silence, our listening and our reverence.
The distinctive feature of our society today is the members who have chosen not to participate in our celebrations of Mass. The reasons for doing so are many and varied. One possible reason is that they stopped or neglected to take the first step in an active participation at Mass which is to enter consciously and with sincerity in the Penitential Rite – right at the beginning of Mass/Eucharist.
Mind you many of us celebrants have not helped people to do so – such is our speedy rush to move on. The Penitential Rite is an opportunity from the get-go to engage the current state of our life with the call of the Lord to link our deep love of God with our behaviour toward one another in family, friendship and community. While there is a miracle at the heart of every gathering for Mass/Eucharist it is not magic. It is good to be here, it is even more fruitful for us which we take the time and reflection to bring the reality of our lives and our world.
The reality of our way of thinking because of so many other voices it is that we find it more difficult to recognise the sin and failure in our lives. Not doing so has a corrosive effect on our conscience and we see less and less need for the mercy of God as a way of renewing our life. Naturally, our need of the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession flows from that awareness.
The Lord Jesus has given us such wonderful teaching and concrete examples of fraternal love as extensions and expressions of our experience of Gods love. The washing of the feet which we re-enact as part of this evening’s celebration speaks so powerfully of the grace and blessing of human kindness and care. Everyday so many feet are washed, hearts are healed, and minds are put to rest by the loving outreach of those who care.
The Mass of the Lords Supper is so rich in word and deed. It serves us a feast of blessing and wisdom for the world, but it begins as every Mass/Eucharist – Let us first call to mind our sins with sincerity and honesty. Then we’re disposed with contrite hearts to hear the Word and receive with joy the Bread of Life.
