Once again, the whole Church celebrates the 3 most sacred days of her liturgical year. The very rich liturgy helps us to enter more fully into the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, death and resurrection.
Here at the monastery, Lauds are replaced by a longer morning office for the duration of the Triduum.
On Maundy Thursday, the community commemorates the Washing of the Feet in a special ceremony called the “Mandatum”.
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15).
In this eager desire of Jesus we can recognize the desire of God himself – his expectant love for mankind, for his creation.
A love which awaits the moment of union, a love which wants to draw mankind to itself and thereby fulfil the desire of all creation, for creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God (cf. Rom 8:19).
Jesus desires us, he awaits us.
But what about ourselves?
Do we really desire him?
Are we anxious to meet him?
Do we desire to encounter him, to become one with him, to receive the gifts he offers us in the Holy Eucharist?
An extract from Pope Benedict XVI’s homily for Maundy Thursday 2011, that we read at morning office.
