EL JUEVES SANTO

​Holy Thursday is one of the most pivotal days in the life of Jesus Christ. 

​He put on the apron of humility and washed the apostles' feet. He gave them a new commandment: "I give unto you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you" (John 13:34). He then gave the traditional Passover Seder a radically new meaning by instituting the Holy Eucharist, whereby bread and wine become truly the Body and Blood of Christ (Matt 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:17–20; 1 Cor 11:23–25). He made his apostles priests of the New Covenant by commanding them, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

When they had sung a hymn, Jesus led some apostles down from the city, through the shadowy Kidron Valley (Ps 23:4), and up into the Garden of Gethsemane and  told them to stay and pray while he went to pray nearby but they all fell asleep on him. Next came Judas' kiss and the arrest of Jesus. Then his "friends"  scattered in fear for their lives (Matt 26:36–56; Mark 14:32–50; Luke 22:39–53, John 18:1–12). Will we stay awake with Jesus? Will we help Christ carry His cross, or will we run? Will we be the ones to betray Him with a kiss?