Holy Week Reflection: Maundy Thursday
Humility
At the beginning of the mass, Fr. Dom humbled himself and asked forgiveness from the congregation for any faults or hurts he may have caused. He said on this day, which commemorates the institution of priesthood, he may have unintentionally hurt the parishioners in the course of his duty.
Where is our heart?
Fr. Dom began his homily by relating an incident that happened to him the night before. After a session with the youth, he returned to his room late that night. Just then he realized he was missing an important item- his hand phone. He searched high and low for it and even commuted back to SCIC looking for it. It the midst of this apprehension, he realized how much the phone meant to him. He said, today the hand phones have become our companions- we have our contacts, our friends on the phones, we see families having meals together but focused on hand phones.
So he prodded the congregation with the following question and asked them to think about it:
What do I love most in my life? Where is your heart?
In today’s culture we love many things but do we love GOD?
He said that we do not need to look for God somewhere else, but look within. He is deep within our hearts. God is always with us. He quoted the words of St. Augustine: “My heart is restless until it finds rest in thee”. We need to connect with God and find rest in him.
Institution of Priesthood
He said on Holy Thursday, we see the institution of priesthood, the Eucharist and the Ministry of Service. He explained that Jesus is the High Priest and instituted the priesthood for the people. Every Holy Thursday, he wears the vestment presented by his sister as a reminder of his priestly vows he took during his ordination on 25 January 2006. To commemorate this day, he along with staff from the Tribunal visited Bishop Selva and Fr. Sinappan at the SFX. They shared a meal together.
Institution of the Eucharist
On the institution of the Eucharist, he said that there would not be a Eucharistic celebration if there was no priest. The Eucharist unites the people as one. On this night, Jesus gave his body and blood.
Ministry of Service
The Ministry of service was instituted when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples showing that he came to serve. Fr. Dom too felt the call to wash the feet of a parishioner whose father had served them at College General. He said remembered Mr. Lam Kin and washed the feet of his son during the Seder meal on Tuesday. He reminded the people of Jn 13: 34 “Love one another as I have loved you”.
Washing of the Feet
Fr. Dom washed and kissed the feet of 12 parishioners. He then embraced them to assure them that God loves them.
Reception of the Holy Oils
Oil of the sick (for anointing of the sick), oil of catechumens (for those who are to be baptised soon) and oil of chrism ( perfumed Chrism for children and adults, who are baptized and confirmed, and Priests, who are ordained, to experience the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit)
Adoration
