Holy Thursday
Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet, Ford Madox Brown (1852-6) — Tate, London.
Holy Thursday is the most romantic night of the year. Jesus captures my heart and moves me to tears. One must pause and savor the actions of Jesus. Love is on full display.
The First Reading tells the story of the first Passover meal, during which, in the evening twilight, God commanded His people to eat the unblemished lamb. They ate its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Those who hear and read with faith sense the center of the Old Testament at this very moment—the Exodus. God freed His people from the enemy and lavished a yearly meal to commemorate the day He was determined to keep them safe and bring them to Himself. This is extravagant love in our hearing.
The Second Reading announces the testimony that the early Church professed. This is the retelling of the Institution of the Eucharist. We confess Christ who left us this memorial. We believe in Him, not because we have seen Him. We confess Christ because of the witness of His apostles! I eat the flesh of the Son of David gathered around redeemed sinners, priests, deacons, and the whole body of Christ. This is the heart of sacrificial love completely open. This is love that is eaten so that we become one with Him.
Jesus performs one final act of charity that moves my whole being. This act is captured by Ford Madox Brown’s Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet. Peter’s poise moves me. His hands clasped at prayer. Peter witnesses his Master become his intimate friend as he touches and washes his feet. Jesus washes the dirt from the tremendous journey we have all taken since the Exodus.
With His loving hands, He scrubs the filth that makes our journey in life unbearable, ugly, and horrendous. The faces of those gathered around Jesus capture the many emotions we face this passionate evening. Some are in utter disbelief that their Messiah would lower Himself to be a servant. Others are pensive about how a lover can draw close to His beloved.
My feet are dirty; my life is not perfect. Yet, my savior draws near me. He takes my feet into his hands, washes them, tenderly kisses them, and makes them clean. As Jesus washes my feet, I fall in love with Him anew.
I have resolved to follow Him to His Cross in this purifying love. This amorous night leads to its highest pitch at the Cross. He moves me to adore Him under the shadow of His Cross. The Church expresses these sentiments as she sings, “We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.”
Holy Thursday was the night that reoriented my heart to love. Jesus recounted the night we were called to eat the unblemished Lamb and be delivered from our enemy. That same night, Jesus, my one true love, touched me to remind me that I must serve others. Now, I must follow Him to His penultimate crescendo of charity. I follow Him to His Cross, where love is fully displayed, and my heart is forever pierced.
Dr. Manolito S. Jaldon Jr. has served the Church as a professional liturgical musician for over 20
years. Currently, he is the Director of the Lasallian Student Life Office at Christian Brothers High
School in Sacramento. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Mount Angel Seminary. He works
with God Squad and the Senior Retreat Leadership Team to offer meaningful retreats, prayer
experiences, and liturgies for the whole school community.
You can find out more about him here.