Thursday 17 April

Holy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, Ps 116B, 1Cor 11:23-26, John 13:1-15.

Perfect love

When Jesus took the bread and the cup at the Last Supper and gave them to his disciples, he instituted the Eucharist as a loving act of self-giving. When he then took the towel and the basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples, his serving them was a further act of selfless love. And when he came to Peter and insisted that Peter allow him to wash his feet, Jesus demonstrated that love is about receiving as well as giving. But the perfect act of love was to follow, when Jesus went to his cross and laid down his life in sacrifice for those he loved.