APRIL 13, 2017
7:00 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
A mnemonic is a memory device, sometimes a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that help to remember something.
For example, the colors of the rainbow: “ROY G. BIV” gives us: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet … which also helps to remember the color code on component resistors in electronics.
Musicians use mnemonics to remember the strings on their instruments. To remember the lines on the treble clef, there is “Every Good Boy Does Fine,” or if they have a sweet tooth, perhaps, “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge.” Violinists know that “Good Dogs Always Eat,” which I’m sure Toby will be glad to know. But as any guitarist will remind even the rectory dog: “Every Animal Does Grace Before Eating.”
Mnemonics can be great fun, and can contribute to not only passing a test on any given subject but also tend to stick in our minds for many years.
The word “mnemonic” comes from the Greek meaning “to remember” or “be mindful.” And tonight, on this Holy Thursday, we have gathered here to remember.
In today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus, we hear about the first Passover and how it was to be a “memorial feast” and a “perpetual institution.”
Building on this memorial at the Last Supper, Jesus establishes the new covenant, which is to be done “in remembrance of [Him]”.
In this remembering … that is, this looking backwards we are to “proclaim his death”; St. Paul then tells us to look forward “until he comes”; and in the next verse after today’s reading, St. Paul reminds us to look within … saying we “should examine [ourselves]” to eat and drink the Body and Blood of Our Lord “worthily”.
This creates a sort of “active remembering,” not only looking back; but also looking forward, as well as looking within.
In today’s Gospel from John chapter 13, we hear about Jesus washing His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. Something that we will commemorate in action following the homily.
Jesus shows us 3 steps to form ourselves as His disciples through this process of “active remembering.”
The first step is humility. Humility comes from remembering where we’ve come from, understanding where we are going, and realizing who we are before almighty God. Jesus, despite being God, takes on the nature of a slave, and washes His disciples’ feet.
The Gospel is silent on what the first eleven disciples might have said or done. Perhaps they said nothing. Perhaps they didn’t even notice Who it was Who was washing their feet. But Peter notices. And Peter objects!
Which brings us to the next step, which is holiness.
In order to aspire to holiness, it is imperative that we allow Jesus to wash us “all over”. While this is an allusion to Baptism, there is more.
In many situations, we do things our way, objecting to allowing God’s grace into areas of our lives that are … well … like feet: stinky, sweaty, dirty … maybe peeling, calloused, scarred. But it is those places where we most need the healing power of Christ … the saving power of Jesus … to redeem us … indeed, from sin; but also from ourselves.
We forget that we are weak and sinful. We forget that we do not always know the way. We forget that we have a Savior Who suffered and died to save us.
Two chapters further in John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to “remain in [Him] … because without [Him] [we] can do nothing.”
Let that sink in. Nothing. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip.
Without Jesus. We. Can. Do. Nothing.
And so, we must remember that we are weak … to remember that we need to be saved … to remember that we need a Savior ... and remember that we, indeed, do have a Savior.
And the third and last step, which comes two verses after our Gospel ends is happiness. The missing verse is:
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.Or to vary the translation slightly:
If you understand this, [happy] are you if you do it.And so, today we commence the Sacred Pascal Triduum.
And we remember. Looking back 2,000 or so years ago to the days and events surrounding His passion, death, and resurrection. We look forward to our own future glory united to Him in His resurrection and when He comes. We look within to examine our hearts next to His Most Sacred Heart. Asking for the graces to follow Him in humility, in holiness, and in happiness.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us engage in “active remembering” … looking back, looking forward, and looking within ourselves. To follow Christ all the way to the Cross … through humility, with holiness, and in happiness.
For indeed,
[Jesus] loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.[And,] [i]f you understand this, blessed are you if you do it."
Photos from Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) at St. Apollinaris, Napa, CA
