Religion
Text: Jn.13:1-15.
Theme: The Spirituality of Service.
Fr. Chidube Ubili, OP.
- This day, 9th April, known in Christian order of worship as Holy Thursday, we begin the Easter Triduum. Easter Triduum refers to the last three(3)days of the Lenten Season which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday an d the Solemn Vigil that would usher in Easter, the Resurrection Feast.
—The main focus of Holy Thursday celebration is commemoration of the Last Supper of the Lord, Jesu with His apostles; simply called the “Lord’s Supper”. It is very specially situated within the Triduum, both as personally celebrated by Jesus and as recalled today.
- Before the peak of His Passion when He would be entirely powerless and submit to a shameful death on the Cross, Jesus çaused a “spiritual revolution” in which He changed the mode of worship from the Old(testament) way to the New(testament) way. In the Old Way, the worship of God was basically through “sacrificing and shedding the blood of an animal”. This is not exclusive to the Jewish religion, Judaism. It is a common practice in most ancient world religions, including African traditional religion(ATR). But, in the New Way, worship will be through the “sacrificing the body of Jesus and shedding His blood”.
- Jesu initiated this New Worship with the events of Holy Thursday and consummated it on Good Friday with His death on the Cross. The essential elements of today’s celebration, as performed by Jesus are:
- The Washing of the feet of the apostles – Jesus example of service.
- The institution of the Eucharist – Jesus’ offering the sacrifice of His body and blood in Thanksgiving to God, as the new mode of worship of God.
III. The institution of the New testament Priesthood, as the new ministry of service in the new mode of worship.
By these three(3) acts, Jesus at the Last Supper with His apostles, summarised and narrowed down His entire three(3)year ministry to “”Service””.
- After washing the Apostles’ feet, Jesus declared: “”I, your Lord and teacher have just washed your feet. You then should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you””(Jn.13:14-15).
—Similarly, after offering His body and bold in Thanksgiving to God, He charged His apostles: “” Do this in memory of me “”(1Cor.11:23-25). By this charge or command to go on doing what He did, He gave them the mandate or authority to be ministers in offering His body and blood, as Priests.
—It is also for the reason of this command to “”Do this in memory of me”” that today, Holy Thursday, is also known as “”Maundy Thursday””; from the Latin, “”Maundare””: “”to command””. Hence, we recall that on This Day, Jesus did not only institute the offering of His body and blood in thanksgiving to God. He also commanded us to do thesame in memory or remembrance..
- If Jesus summarized His ministry on the note of SERVICE, how should Christians imitate Him and serve one another? What should be the Christian way of service – the Spirituality of Service?
–By the Spirituality of Christian Service, is meant not merely working hard or being deligent in labour. Rather, it is the rendering of service in a habitual manner that honours God and edifies people. It is service inspired and motivated by God and rendered with filial devotion to God, for the good and wellbeing of people.
- Certain basic elements characterise the Spirituality of Christian Service, namely: purpose, excellence, selfless, sacrifice, joy and legacy.
- PURPOSE: Christian service does not merely meet needs. More important is that it honours and glorifies God, such that people experience the presence of God. This would motivate people to worship God(Cf. 2Cor.9: 12–13)..
- EXCELLENCE: Christian service does not “settle for less”. Rather, it focuses on attaining or achieving the best of what is possible or attainable in all things; the highest possible good or goal is excellent. When Jesus in one instant healed a deaf and dumb man, the people around were amazed and they exclaimed: “”He has done all things well””(Cf. Mk. 7:32-37).
- SELFLESS: Christian service is not distorted or distracted by overt selfish ambition and greed for personal gain and benefits. Rather, it delights in selflessness that seeks no gratification. “”When you have done everything required of you, say we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty””(Lk.17:10).
- SACRIFICE: Christian service considers everything as “grace” – a gift received freely to be given freely without counting the cost. Such act of giving is a sacrifice modelled by Christ who gave His life without counting the cost; poured out His life like a libration(Cf. Phil. 2:17). Even in paid employment, christian service in the spirit of sacrifice always gives more than can be paid for; in gratitude for other graces received. “”You received without cost, give without cost””(Matt.10:8).
- JOY: Christian service is propelled and sustained by the “”joy of service”” – the awareness and satisfaction that comes from beholding the goodness and beauty of one’s work or labour. It is the first and immediate reward gained for service rendered. “”God saw all that He had done and they were good””(Cf. Gen. 1:4, 10, 18). So, God enjoyed His work. Jesus rejoiced; seeing what God was doing with Him(Cf. Lk.10:21).
- LEGACY: Christian service is concerned about leaving the world better than it is. It ensures that the Will and plan of the Divine Creator is obeyed; hence, the legacy of good work that would stand the test of time(Cf.1Cor.3:13).
With the menace of COVID-19, the need to render service characterized by the above qualities is very urgent throughout the world in general and in Nigeria, particularly. Service modelled after Christ as a spirituality – a habitual way of life inspired by Christ for the good and wellbeing of people would easily appropriate Divine Mercy for healing and restoration of the World devastated by COVID-19. May the good Lord grant us this healing, which we await with great hope and devotion at the Feast of His resurrection at Easter. Amen.
– Apr. 10, 2020 @ 7:25 GMT |
Tags: 2020 Holy Week In COVID-19 ""Stay-At-Home"" - In Passion With Christ (4): Holy Thursday
