Holy Thursday

 

 

 

 

We celebrate Maundy Thursday today. It is observed during holy week on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples and the initiation of Holy Communion (the Eucharist).

Even before Jesus’ time, Jews had been celebrating pass over. As Jesus was born as a Jew and he was subjected to the influence of Jewish traditions, he gathered with his disciples for the pass over meal. This was the institution of three major pillars of Christian belief; Holy Communion or Eucharist, priesthood and mass.

Before the pass over meal, Jesus showed that he loved his disciples so much. He showed them the full extent of his love through his loyal act of washing their feet. By this humble service he was giving the message of loving and serving one another as he did. This incident is described genuinely in bible.” During supper, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.”(John 13:4-5) Simon peter couldn’t take this, as his Lord is washing his feet. He refused. Jesus said to him: “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand. Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’(John 13:7-8)

He has set a great example for us. In order to remember his humble and loving act many churches practice the foot washing ceremonies as a part of Holy Thursday celebrations. If our Lord has done this, undoubtedly, we are also ought to do this.

During pass over meal, “he took bread and wine raised up to the Father, broke it and gave to his disciples and said; “This is my body, will be given for you. Then he took the cup shared it with the disciples and said this is my blood, will be given to save you. Do this in remembrance of me.” This is where he instituted Eucharist and ministerial priesthood.

In memory of Jesus’ last supper Christians gather at home or at church and cut the bread and drink the “milk”. Candles are lighted and special prayers are said during the celebration. This is the beginning of the sacred “tridum”, or three, of holy week. After holy Thursday, no mass will be celebrated in the church until Easter vigil celebrates and proclaims the resurrection of Jesus.

Theological virtues

A theological virtue is so named because the object of these virtues is the divine being. They are true gifts from God. Unlike cardinal virtues it can’t be practiced by any one unless these have been gifted to us from heavenly father. They are revealed or known only through divine revelation. There are three theological virtues; faith, hope and charity (love).

Faith

Faith is the firm belief in something. It may be a belief that is not based on proof. Faith is the foundation virtue of all Christian belief. The Bible gives the description of faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

We were made to have faith in God. When God had created us in his image and likeness, he wanted us to worship him with complete faith and hope. When our faith gets weakened or when we loose faith in God, that’s where Satan starts his job and that’s the cause of all evils.

Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  

Hope
"Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises.

Our God is the God of promises. He had promised us peace, heaven and happiness. Our hope is to achieve these and assure eternal happiness and peace in heaven. With out hope, no one can live. The power of hope inspires us to crave for the kingdom of God. Lack of hope looses our trust in God’s promises.

Charity (Love)

Charity is the most important and the most wonderful theological virtue. Charity unites us to God. It is said to glorify and reflect the nature of God. The terms charity and love are used interchangeably, since the virtue of charity is indeed love. It is the love of God and it is embedded in selflessness and sacrifice. Charity binds all virtues together in perfect harmony. It purifies human love. Bible says “Without charity, "I am nothing" and "I gain nothing." "So faith, hope, and charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity" (1 Cor 13:1-13).

These theological virtues are the foundation of Christian belief and moral activity. They lead us to God.