The Mandatum

28 Mar

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, 
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow, 
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.  (Jn 13:14-15)

Tonight, we begin the Holy Days of Easter with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  At that beautiful Mass, we commemorate the awesome gift of the Eucharist: Christ’s own Body and Blood as food for the journey.

Additionally, at that Mass, we have the “foot washing”, more commonly known as the mandatum.

At the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles.  He told them that they needed to do the same.

This was a radical example.

Jesus, their Lord and Master, had performed a subservient task in washing their feet.  Jesus never did anything without reason.  He taught by example and He knew that the example of His washing the Apostles’ feet would not be lost upon them.

Jesus is our master and our teacher.  We acknowledge that.

What we often fail to do is to follow the example of our master and our teacher.

Jesus came into this world to serve us, to love us, to teach us, and, ultimately, to die for us.

He wants us to do the same.

Jesus did not give us that example in order to make us miserable.  People who serve others find a certain joy in knowing that they are bringing something to others in need.  Our lives can have a greater sense of fulfillment when we reach out to others.

FAITH ACTION:  Jesus gave us a great example of loving service.  This day, go and do the same.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
Holy Thursday:  Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday:  Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 1:30 p.m.
                      Tenebrae Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday:  Vigil Mass of Easter at 8:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday:  Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 Noon