HOLY THURSDAY 2025

INTRO:

I became a priest on June 12, 1982! It was a long-awaited day as I knew I wanted to become a priest in the second grade!

The Sacrament of HOLY ORDERS is all about humbly serving other, making others come first before oneself, enriching their lives to grow in holiness and in the person of Jesus Christ.

It is also about bringing the real presence of Jesus Christ to others through the consecration of unleavened bread and pure grape wine. This is a miraculous mystery of our catholic faith that God bestows on all longing hearts.

I must tell you that my desire to become a priest was NOT that I did not want a family… It was because I wanted FAMILIES!!!! ….. many, many families to care for, to nurture, to shepherd, and to lead them to grow in holiness. It IS a great life!

Each of you here tonight, likewise, have joined in the “priesthood” of Christ, by your baptism …. some here tonight are seeking that this weekend. Being members of the priesthood of Christ means serving one another, making others come first.

The FOOT WASHING RITUAL of the Apostles by Jesus which was just proclaimed in the Gospel of John was Christ’s lesson to them and to us these two thousand years later …. As I have done to you … you must also do to others!

Christy in the best way possible to all our brothers and sisters always, disregarding, color, race, or creed is what we are about as a catholic religion and as a community. We all know that growing up in charity is a daily effort followed by actions. The charity to others followed by actions derives BEST from nourishing ourselves with the real presence of Jesus Christ established at the Last Supper and performed for YOU on this very evening!

When you and I consume HIM, we must wholeheartedly try to allow HIM to convert us, to aid us, to form us into his image and likeness and become better in serving others charitably.

CONCLUSION

This liturgy tonight should fill us with gratitude as we ponder the great things God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ and should cause us to renew our efforts to show love to those around us, sharing with them all the blessings that Jesus has poured out on us!