No Mass this Morning - unless the Bishop blesses Holy Chrism - that is usually done earlier in the week. Holy Mass tonight - Holy Thursday - focused on institution of Holy Eucharist and of the priesthood. Special focus tonight - washing of feet of Mass participants. Lent officially ends following Evening Prayer and the Triduum begins with the beginning of tonight's Holy Mass. The banners in church have been Purple throughout Lent - tonight - White - a celebratory color indicating purity - new beginnings - a very special event in the Liturgical calendar.
Tonight at Holy Mass the oils which were blessed by the Bishop earlier this week are presented at the beginning of Holy Mass - Holy Chrism - Oil of Catechumens - Oil of the Sick. The Oil of the Sick - used anytime a priest wishes to bless those who are sick - often used near death - the final anointing. The Oil of Catechumens - used prior to baptizing infants - adult catechumens during the Baptism Rite. Holy Chrism - the most special of the three oils - used when a person is being confirmed - during infant baptism - ordination of priests - consecration of a bishop - anointing of altars - vessels - consecration of churches. Tonight celebrating that Jesus during His Last Supper - washed the disciples feet as a model of Christian service to others - telling HIs disciples - "If I - therefore - the master and teacher have washed your feet - you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow - so that as I have done for you - you should also do." (John 13:14-15) At Tonight's Mass additional bread is consecrated to be used tomorrow afternoon - since no Mass is allowed - these Hosts to be shared in a communion service on Good Friday. Tonight the tabernacle is left empty - the altar stripped bare - any consecrated Hosts moved to a special place where all may sit in quiet Adoration - meditating on the Mysteries celebrated this night - waiting in Vigil - Jesus taken away by the guards - tomorrow the Passion - sentenced to Crucifixion - by the people - trading Him - the Son of Man - for an insurrectionist - sending Him to Calvary - death on a Cross. Them - you - me - by our Sins - we have all had a hand in that event. Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow - He paid the Price - for what we have done - what we have failed to do - what we will do. Tonight - we sit in darkness - praying - Jesus I Trust in You - Lord - have Mercy on me.
Deacon Dale
