"Food brings people together!" (Phil LaPerle). Pictured from left: Laura Wright, Mark Wright, Rich Allen, Fr. Chris Looby, Melanie LaPerle, and Phil LaPerle.
As we gather on this solemn and sacred evening of Holy Thursday, we find ourselves in a moment of profound communion, not only with one another but with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Tonight, we stand before the altar, where the purple cloth of Lent has been lifted to reveal the beautiful sculpture of Da Vinci's The Last Supper, a poignant reminder of the meal that changed the world.
Holy Thursday is a day steeped in deep tradition and profound meaning. It commemorates the Last Supper Jesus shared with His disciples, but it is so much more than a historical event. It is the institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood, and the universal call to service through the washing of the feet. Tonight, we are invited to reflect on these gifts and what they mean for us as followers of Christ.
Let me share a recent experience that brought to light the importance of communal meals and the profound truth they hold within our faith. Last week, after our Lenten penance service, I had the opportunity to dine at the Fort View with fellow priests and encountered my friend Phil LaPerle and his wife, Melanie. During our conversation, Phil made a simple yet profound observation: "It's interesting how food brings people together." This remark, though casual, struck a chord with me, especially as we approached Holy Thursday.
The Last Supper was, in essence, a meal that brought people together, but it was imbued with such divine significance that it forever transformed the act of breaking bread together. Jesus, knowing that His time on earth was coming to an end, chose to spend those precious moments in fellowship with His disciples, sharing food and imparting the eternal gift of the Eucharist. He broke the bread and shared the cup, saying, "Do this in memory of me." In this act, Jesus not only established the Eucharist but also demonstrated the profound connection between divine love and the simple, yet sacred act of sharing a meal.
Moreover, the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus introduces us to the universal call to service. It was a revolutionary act of humility and love, teaching us that true greatness comes not from dominion or power but from serving others with a humble heart. This is the essence of the priesthood and, indeed, the Christian vocation— to serve one another as Christ served us.
Tonight, as we behold the representation of The Last Supper, let us ponder the depth of Jesus' actions at that meal. Let us embrace the Eucharist with a deeper love and gratitude, recognizing it as the source and summit of our Christian life. Let us renew our commitment to serve one another with humility, following in the footsteps of our Lord and Master.
As we move forward from this Mass of the Last Supper, let us carry the lessons of this night in our hearts. May the Eucharist continue to bring us together as a community of believers, united in Christ's sacrificial love. And may we, inspired by Jesus' example, serve one another and the world with the same selfless love.
In this Holy Week, as we walk the path of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, let us remember that through His sacrifice, we are invited to partake in the eternal banquet of His love. May this Holy Thursday rekindle in us the joy and wonder of the Eucharist, the priesthood, and our call to serve, as we continue our journey of faith together.
Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE - Mass of the Lord's Supper this evening at 7 pm at St. Mary's Church in Ticonderoga with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 9:30 pm.