Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost referred to Bishop Edward Malesic’s “My Daily Prayers” reflection for March 30, the Monday of Holy Week, in his homily at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The liturgy, celebrated by Bishop Malesic in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist launched the celebration of the sacred Paschal Triduum.
“We know the story,” Bishop Woost said. “We already know what will unfold in the Gospel on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. But we don’t know how that story will unfold in our lives … This is not a history lesson.”
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He referred to Bishop Malesic’s reflection that focused on the story of Jesus visiting his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus for dinner. Mary used a great deal of expensive oil to wash his feet, then dried the with her hair. Some were critical of her extravagance, but Bishop Malesic invited the faithful to “embrace this divine extravagance,” Bishop Woost said, “and to respond with an extravagance of our own.”
He said we should look at what is happening now – not just the past – as we are invited to encounter Jesus and how his life will manifest itself and affect us now.
Using the expensive oil to wash Jesus’ feet was not wrong, Bishop Woost said, “because nothing given to Christ is ever wasted … Trust him … Tonight, remember God’s extravagance and his invitation for us to respond.”
He asked the congregation what they would want others to know if they knew tomorrow would be their last day on earth. Bishop Woost said he’d want his family and friends to know that he loved them and that Jesus has a great love for all.
“Jesus reveals his love in the gift of the Eucharist (which was given on Holy Thursday and is commemorated at the Mass of the Last Supper) … the Eucharist embodies Jesus’ extravagant love for God’s people. He is with us always as shepherd and servant … We can’t even begin to fathom the love he left for us in the Eucharist … We share in the saving sacrifice of his cross and Resurrection and share in the divine life of God and the unconditional extravagance of God’s love for us.”
Bishop Woost urged the faithful to trust Jesus and to “let him continue to write the story in your life.”
During the liturgy, Bishop Malesic washed the feet of a dozen people, as Jesus did for his disciples at the Last Supper.
The Eucharist was moved to the altar of repose after distribution of Communion and the faithful were invited to spend time in prayer after Mass.