HOLY THURSDAY

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This day, the Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter tridium. This liturgy  takes three days, it ends on Paschal Vigil. This Mass where we commemorate the Lord’s Supper is marked by the sign of service and humility of Jesus washing the feet to his disciples.

"So during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he was coming from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash their feet and drying them with a towel around his waist." (John 13:2-6, African Bible) "If therefore a master can wash the feet of his servants then you ought to wash one another’s feet" Jesus said. 
The washing of the feet during our Liturgy

Here is Br. Venancio telling us to go around with a basin of water and a towel to wash one another’s feet. I know you are wondering how possible that can be, if one does it we may say he is insane. What do Jesus and the word of Br. Venancio mean? The message is clear: be humble, be responsible for one another and love one another. Carrying a basin and towel is moving with humility in approaching others.

But Peter first refused, why? You who is reading, if your Parent say: “I want to wash your feet,” Do you accept? Of course you may hesitate because you respect your Parent and you feel that you are the one supposed to do it. And I see that is why Peter says: “Lord you cannot wash my feet.” Jesus responds that Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing and indeed Peter was not understand even if it were me I would hesitate to accept. Peter later accepts wholesale by responding with: “not only my feet, but the whole body.” Peter had understood and felt it more important to be cleaned the whole body, but Jesus assures him of his cleanliness and needed little purification which was instillation of humility. That was demonstrated in the reading of the gospel in our chapel.
Sister being washed her feet

As our Pope requested officially, there was also washing of women’s feet on that day. Sisters Irene, Lilian and Youfresher were part of the twelve people whose feet were washed. That is a sign that Jesus’ message of being humble in this activity goes to everyone not men only.
Procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament

Being the longest liturgy celebrated during the year, we did not conclude with the dismissal and final blessing. We had to transfer the Blessed Sacrament to the class for adoration. We adored in turns, starting with the visitors then followed by the members of the community. We keep in a spirit of recollection as we prepare ourselves to go through the liturgy of Good Friday and then the Paschal Vigil on Saturday night. 
Happy Easter
AGABA JOHN


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