In times of isolation, loneliness and fear, we must reach out “and wash the feet of one another,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 14 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
The Holy Thursday evening Mass, which marks the start of the sacred Triduum, commemorates the Last Supper and the establishment of the priesthood. It included a ceremony reenacting Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, to demonstrate leadership based on humility and service.
“On this sacred night, we are powerfully reminded of three precious gifts Jesus gave to his church on the night before he died: the Holy Eucharist, the priesthood and a model to follow,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily.
He said the Eucharist is “the gift that nourishes and strengthens us throughout our earthly journey, leading us to heaven.”
“Yet, recent studies show that we have work to do as a church in restoring a firm belief in the Real Presence and a renewed sense of wonder and awe for the Holy Eucharist,” Bishop Burbidge said. He added that many need to “learn or relearn” the teaching as conveyed in the Catechism: “In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is truly, really and substantially contained.”
He said that as he travels around the diocese, he witnesses “profound reverence” when Catholics receive Holy Communion, and he urged those present to “be willing to go out and invite others to do the same. Never underestimate how God will use your example to lead others to a deeper union with our Eucharistic Lord.”
He also spoke about Jesus’ mandate to serve, modeled later in the Mass when he knelt to wash the feet of a dozen seminarians.
There are “three ways we are needed to wash the feet of one another,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Due to all we have experienced with the pandemic and the many concerns we have about the world in this present day, there are many people who are suffering emotionally. They feel isolated, alone and afraid. You wash the feet of one another when you reach out to them, visit them, encourage them, including your own family members and neighbors.
“In these times when we see so much conflict, we wash the feet of one another when we are willing to be instruments of the Lord’s peace, who bring love where there is hatred; joy where there is sorrow; and light where there is darkness.
“We are also witnessing so much division within our nation and families,” he said. “We wash the feet of one another when we seek to listen respectfully to one another even if we disagree; when we refuse to judge each other, and understand that only God knows the depth of one’s heart and inner disposition; and when we are willing to forgive even those who have hurt, offended or betrayed us.
“With God’s grace, be healers, peacemakers and unifiers,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Pray that we may be renewed in our commitment to wash the feet of others in faithfulness to his words, and obey that mandate on this sacred night and always.”
Following the prayer after Communion, Bishop Burbidge censed the Blessed Sacrament and carried it downstairs to the altar of repose in Burke Hall, followed by a procession of the faithful singing “Pange, lingua.” The hall remained open until midnight for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
David Bayliss of Alexandria, who attended the Mass with his wife, Cindy, and son Isaiah, a former altar server, said what will stick with him most was the message that “we are all called to serve. And there was no better teacher” of this than Jesus, “who made it so easy to understand what our role in the world is.”
