Tonight we begin the great Triduum…the three solemn days that lead up to the culmination of our Lenten Journey and our eternal goal, new life in Christ. For Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (without the Easter Vigil), the focus of this three part reflection will be surrender. Each of these days calls us to surrender, just as Jesus did.
Holy Thursday – The Surrender of Service
It is interesting that this night in which the Church gathers to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, its focus is not on the Altar until after the liturgy. The Gospel from John gives witness to the meaning of both the Eucharistic celebration and the Priestly ministry of all of God’s people. Service.
Giving back, Community Service, volunteering etc are all words whose meaning the culture has obliterated. No longer is it really selfless. It comes from guilt or with strings or for self-image or import. This is not service. This is self-inflating engagement. This is not what the Christ of Holy Thursday is all about.
Moving from the first position to the last is a sacrifice of place/status. Jesus, son of God, creator of the Universe, moves to the spot of the floor, to serve. Jesus reaches out to his closes friends, those who have walked with him. Those who knew him best. I believe that Judas was there. It says that, “The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.” But it does not indicate that he left the meal. I believe that Jesus washed the feet even of his betrayer. Why? The only one whose feet we know he washed were Peter’s…his denier! Are betrayal and denial that far apart? Thus the Surrender of Service…even and especially to those undeserving or unworthy of it.
Our service as followers of Christ must be the same. It must be a surrendering of our place…of our status, or comfort, or even our selfish desire a positive self-image, remittance of guilt or for gratitude. Like Jesus, we must strip those things, tie them to our waste and pour ourselves like water over the feet of the world. We are called and empowered in Him to bring Love to the despised, Joy to the sad, Peace to the afflicted, Patience to the troubled, kindness to the hurt, generosity to those in need, Belief to the doubting, gentleness to the abused and Focus to the lost. (Gal 5:22).
Surrender is not giving up. It is giving in to a power greater than you that has a promise of a future full of something more. (Jer 29:11)
I really enjoyed this article. I felt very inspired to serve – with the “right” heart & frame of mind. I was very humbled reflecting on what our Lord sacrificed for me! Thank you Jim!
Hmmmm. Not sure why my hubby’s name is showing instead of mine. These were MY sentiments, lol.
Lorraine Adams