Holy Thursday – The Night Love Was Poured Out

Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum—three days that changed the world. On this evening, Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, and in doing so, He gave the Church two of its most precious gifts: the Eucharist and the Priesthood.

In the quiet upper room, Jesus did not simply share a meal. He gave Himself. “This is My Body... this is My Blood,” He said, words that would echo through the centuries in every Mass. On Holy Thursday, we remember that every altar becomes that upper room, and every priest, through grace, stands in the person of Christ.

Love in Action

Before He gave His Body and Blood, Jesus knelt before His disciples and washed their feet—a task reserved for the lowliest servant.

In doing this, He gave a command:

“As I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:15)

Holy Thursday is also known as Maundy Thursday, from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command.” Jesus commands us to love with humble, sacrificial love—not only in words, but in action.

The Loneliness of Gethsemane

After the Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He experienced the agony of soul that would mark the beginning of His Passion. There, He asked His friends to stay awake with Him—but they slept. On this night, we too are invited to “stay and watch,” to keep vigil with the Lord in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

It is a night of intimacy, of sorrow, and of profound love.

“Do this in memory of Me.”– Luke 22:19

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*All articles in our blog are written with the help of ChatGPT AI and reviewed by human editors.