Receive

Paul sets the scene:

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn pass on to you (1 Corinthians 11).

We begin three days known as the Paschal Triduum – Christ’s passing over from this life to his Father, through the ‘gates of death.’

Taking Paul’s cue, we prepare ourselves to receive the gift of his ‘passing.’

Augustine famously said:

God is much more willing to give than we are to receive.

The gift this night is three-fold:

The gift of Christian service. The gift of the priesthood. The gift of the Eucharist.

Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. He asks us to do the same.

Jesus lets us share in his priesthood. We attempt to offer ourselves in the same Spirit.

Jesus bequeaths to us the Sacrifice and Sacrament of his Body and Blood. A gift we celebrate with reverence and love.

Our best step is to let what is happening enter us.

These gifts transcend human reason of course. We must let the Holy Spirit arouse faith.

It will be a good idea if we let sorrow for sin arise in our hearts.

Peter shows us the way forward as he weeps bitterly for his denial.

Amen.