Reflections on Holy Thursday

Triduum as a Single Continuous Event

Every year when we celebrate these three amazing days of the Triduum, I like to think about these three days as a single continuous event.  I like to see the connection between tonight’s Last Supper Mass, tomorrow’s Passion, and Saturday’s Easter Vigil.  These three days, these three events are like facets in the face of a jewel.  All three allow us to peer into the central mystery.  This mystery is the love of God poured out for us in the death and resurrection of Christ.  This is the mystery of mercy.  And this mystery is celebrated for three straight days, it is renewed at this mass, and at every Mass. 

So, for the next three days, we enter into a powerful kind of remembering.  A couple of weeks back it struck me that remembering is the key to the triduum.  Every year in Lent, my Parish sings Jesus remember me at the end of every mass.  So, not to count, but that means I’ve sung it probably 100+ times if you think about how many times we repeat it.  And you know what?  That song never gets old.  That’s because those words are more than just some song.  Those words are a powerful prayer, and a deep reminder of a profound truth.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom

First, powerful prayer.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  These are the words of the good thief.  He was crucified next to Christ.  He was literally dying because of his crimes and sins.  And yet, he utters these few words to Christ, spoken with deep faith: Jesus, remember me.  Christ says: today you will be with me in paradise.  Amazing!  

These words literally saved the eternal life of the good thief.  I heard it said one time that this life-long criminal ended his life with one last theft, by his faith he was able to steal heaven.  It’s an amusing line.  But, it reiterates the power of these words we sing every day.  Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.  

We have been speaking these words since Ash Wednesday, and now that we enter the Sacred Triduum, it seems like they become more urgent.  Jesus, tonight as you celebrate the Eucharist for your apostles, as you wash their feet, remember me.  Ok, the music might not fight quite as good.  One thing I love about that song is that it encourages each of us to see ourselves in the story.  Don’t stay on the sidelines of the drama of salvation.  Become an active member of the story: Jesus, wash my feet.  Jesus remember me.  So, first it’s a prayer that puts us into the story.

Second, it’s a reminder of a profound truth.  This is the power of memory.  The power of Christ’s memory brought the good thief to paradise.  So, this prayer asks Christ to remember us as well.  But, even more, it reminds us of the importance of remembering these events every year.  From a certain surface level understanding, we might scoff at our yearly observances of the paschal mystery.  

The Mystery of the Last Supper

We all recognize that the Last Supper took place 2000+ years ago.  The cynic might say: that’s simply an old event.  But, this negates the great power of memory.  For Catholics, memory does not simply transport our minds back to past events.  Rather, memory brings these past events into our dynamic present.  This is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.  So, when we gather tonight to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s supper, it’s not a history lesson.  Rather, it gives each of us a chance to enter into this great event, not in the past, but in the present.  So, maybe we can add another verse: Jesus remember me, as I remember you.

So, tonight we peer into the mystery of the mercy of God and see Jesus kneeling down to wash the feet of his disciples, Jesus celebrates the first Eucharist with his apostles, then he commissions them, go and do likewise.  Our remembrance of this Last Supper is a powerful entrance into these events again.  Tonight, Jesus Christ kneels down to wash the feet of his disciples, 12 parishioners will come forward to participate in the foot-washing ceremony.  Tonight, Jesus Christ will break the bread and feed us with his body and blood right here at this altar.  At this mass, and at every mass, we will learn of the deep mercy, love and compassion of Christ.  We will remember it in such a way that it becomes real and concrete here and now in our own lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

I would deeply encourage each one of you to spend some time exercising this powerful function of memory.  We do this every year because the process of memory is powerful and it can change our hearts and our lives.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will make these events a lasting part of your life.  Tonight, hear Jesus saying to each one of us: I have given you an example, go and do likewise.  Remember the example of Christ.  Allow it to shape you lives.  Make these days a time of prayer.  Especially, continue to pray these three days: Jesus remember me, as I remember you.

About the Author

Father Jake Runyon is a priest in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend where he serves as the Rector and Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. This post was originally published on his personal blog Docete and is shared here with permission.