Apr. 9 - Holy Thursday and Mary

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is a blessing today to read both the Readings for the Chrism Mass at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040920-chrism-mass.cfm

And

the Evening Mass of the Lord’s supper at:


While not all of us can be physically present at Mass and/or receive Holy Communion physically, some can participate in the many televised Masses offered to day and to receive Jesus in “Spiritual Communion”.

The Verse before the Gospel and the opening verses of the Gospel for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper are the words that stood out for me:
Verse Before The Gospel (Jn13:34):

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.

Gospel of John (13:1-15)

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved His own in the world and He loved them to the end.
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As mentioned yesterday, the Gospels do not include a direct mention of Mary in the accounts of the Last Supper, but whenever I ponder the union of Jesus and Mary and especially the abundance of Pure, Holy Love as Mother of the Incarnate Son of God, given to Mary, I wonder if she may have been there only spiritually. Jesus had already entered Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit at the moment of His Incarnation.

Perhaps she and the other women did not need to be there, but only those men who would be Consecrating Bread and Wine after His Death, Resurrection, Ascension and the Sending of the Holy Spirit by Jesus and His Father.

By God’s Grace, let us give Thanks and Praise to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for their infinite Mercy to all, through Mary. Let us pray for the Church today, to Mary, our Mother and Model learning from her to love as Jesus loved us, and to become merciful as our Heavenly Father is Merciful. Let us pray especially for priests and all in the world who are in most need of God’s Mercy.
 
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Scripture does not say so, but there is no doubt that the Mother of God was present at the Last Supper, on the night of Holy Thursday. Surely she came to Jerusalem as she always did for the Passover feast, and celebrated the Passover meal with the whole group that followed Jesus.

Since she kept all of Jesus’ words in her heart, we can imagine how she received His farewell speech: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you” (Lk 22:15). Could that have reminded her of the wedding at Cana? (1)

Now His hour had come. Now He could give in reality what He could only mention before as a symbol.

Your communion, my Mother! Was it not like a return to this elusive unity, when you fed Him with your flesh and blood? But now He’s the one who feeds you.

Do you not see before you at this hour the whole mystical body, which must grow through this holy banquet?

Do you not already receive it now as a Mother, as you will do tomorrow at the foot of the Cross?

Do you not also see all the offenses that will be done to the Lord in these species, and do you not offer satisfaction for them?

O Mother, teach us to receive the Body of the Lord as You received it.

(1) See Jn 2: 1-12. See verse 4: “My hour has not yet come.”

Saint Edith Stein

Excerpt from The Science of the Cross

Read more on mariedenazareth.com:​

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
 
Dear Stephie and Cathy,

Blessings on this Holy Thursday, and thanks for your ever “faith-full and loving hearts”, letting us know you read something you liked in this thread. It has been difficult for many in the world as this pandemic has caused much suffering, yet those with Faith still believe God is working Good. (cf Rom 8:28)

God does not leave us orphans, for Jesus dying on Calvary has saved us, and to help us to continue in the Supernatural Life we began at Baptism, He spoke to Mary His Mother. and to John standing at the foot of the Cross, words He wanted us all to hear deeeply and to ponder in our hearts:
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom he loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Jn 19: 26 - 27)
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Jesus is addressing Mary as the “NEW EVE” Who with her Son Jesus will crush the head of the Serpent. Mary becomes the Mother of all the living – and Mary as always, listens and says: "in her Immaculate Heart: “Be it done to me…” Mary continually loves and intercedes for us.

Jesus addressing John, is saying to all of us, “Behold your Mother”. Mary has already received John and all of us, and we can hear in his Gospel, now John received this precious gift of Mary, and obediently took her into his life.

By God’s Grace, let us pray more and more persons will open their hearts to receive this gift of Mary as John did and learn from Our Mother as she learned from Jesus to Love as He has loved us.
 
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Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your reply. I’ve read several of St. Edith Stein’s works including her beautiful book, “The Science of the Cross”. I didn’t remember the excerpt which you quoted, so I took my book in hand. and tried to find it. Can you tell me which chapter?

It is possible either way – Mary perhaps may have helped with some of the women to prepare the Passover meal for Jesus and His disciples or Mary also may have prepared the Passover meal somewhere else with family members, in Jerusalem, knowing perhaps that Jesus needed this time with the 12 alone. We may not know until heaven – if and when Jesus and Mary may choose to tell us all about it and everything else we do not know for sure here on earth.

St. Edith Stein is one of our many wonderful saints. Just seraching for the quote made me want to read her entire book again! St. Louis de Montfort, like St. Edith Stein encourages us to ask Mary for her heart to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta also encouraged her sisters to receive Jesus with Mary’s heart.

Tomorrow, by God’s Grace, may we stand with Mary and John at the Foot of Jesus’ Cross.
 
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I haven’t returned to a Holy Thursday service since having to endure the loud giggling of those selected to partake in the ritual foot-washing. Also the involvement of the pastoral associate layperson.

Not sure how they select candidates for this ceremony as no bulletin announcement is ever posted.
 
Dear hazcompat,

I did go back to that link last night but the site only gave what you gave, and there was no reference to a page or chapter in the book “The Science of the Cross” by St. Edith Stein, so God willing, after Easter I will re-read her book. I know that St. John of the Cross, was devoted to Mary and “The Science of the Cross” was primarily Edith’s study of St. John of the Cross’ writing. Anyway, thanks for taking time to respond. I do appreciate it.

Blessings throughout this Sacred Triduum.
 
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Dear Redd_Jackal,

So sorry that some in charge of Liturgy are not more careful and reverent. Most Catholic Churches have a “Liturgy Committee” and often the Pastor and/or Deacon takes part in their meetings.

It is sad that in your experience whoever was “in charge” chose immature persons who were not able to help the congregation to appreciate the action of Christ enacted by the priest, nor understand that they were supposed to be enacting the part of the Discip;es at the Last Supper.

Let us pray for the Church, Clergy and Laity, that we may repent of past irreverence and strive to honor God in all we do, especiall regarding the Sacred Liturgy.
 
DearQuietTrad,

It is really not off-topic, because we are in this very sacred time of the Triduum which begins on the Evening of Holy Thursday and continues through to Holy Saturday. Mary is our Mother and as she was always united in heart and mind and soul with Jesus, she continues to be with us as we were given to her by Jesus from His Cross.

Today is Good Friday and I will soon, by God’s Grace, be writing a thread for today on Good Friday – with Mary, and on Saturday, God willing, writing on Holy Saturday – with Mary. Mary is given to us that we may do as John did when he heard those precious words:
“Behold your Mother”
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In most English translations we read : “And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19: 27) but the original Greek in which the Gospel was written says that John “took her into his own”. Pope St. John Paul II interpreted that to mean that John took Mary into his own life, into his very being. St. John Paul II expresses it well.

By God’s Grace, I will pray with our Mother, who is always interceding for her children that she keep you at her side on Holy Saturday, and that she keep all of us by her side that like her we may focus the eyes and ears of our hearts on Jesus as Mary did. Her Immaculate Heart was pierced spiritually as His Sacred Heat was pierced, physically.

Remember Jesus’ Words at the Last Supper:

" The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name—He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." (Jn 14:: 26 - 27)
 
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“the Secret of the Cross” is the footnote? i searched more if her writings, but could not find that title. It is not in the Science of the Cross, I still read it from time to tine,

Peace and All Good,
 
Thanks, hazcompat,

If it were a footnote, I would think the one who submitted it would have clarified it more, but at any rate, I still want to re-read St. Edith Stein’s, book, “The Science of the Cross” again. I count it a blessing you posted and reminded me of how good a book it was!

Peace and all things Good.
 
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