Homily for Maundy Thursday 2026 Year A | Homily for 2 April 2026

 

My dear friends, tonight as we celebrate Holy Thursday, we enter one of the most sacred

moments of the Christian year and begin the Paschal Triduum, remembering the night Jesus

shared the Last Supper with His disciples.

The Book of Exodus tells the story of the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt for many

years. God called Moses to lead them out of slavery into freedom. Before their liberation,

God sent the final plague upon Egypt. On that night, God gave the Israelites special

instructions for a sacred meal called the Passover. Each family had to sacrifice a lamb, place

its blood on the doorposts of their house, and eat the meal together with unleavened bread

and bitter herbs. When the Lord passed through Egypt, the houses marked with the blood of

the lamb would be spared. This night marked the beginning of Israel’s freedom and became a

yearly remembrance of God’s saving action. In today’s passage, God gives very clear

instructions. The lamb must be without blemish, and its blood must be placed on the

doorposts as a sign of protection. The meal must be eaten in haste—people dressed, sandals

on their feet, and ready to travel. This shows that God is about to act, and the people must be

ready to move forward in faith. God also commands that this event must be remembered

every year. Passover becomes a living memory for Israel. Each generation is invited to

remember that God freed them from slavery and formed them into His people.

This reading is especially meaningful on Maundy Thursday because the Last Supper of

Jesus was connected to the Passover meal. During that meal, Jesus gave new meaning to the

bread and wine, offering them as His Body and Blood. Just as the blood of the lamb saved the

Israelites, Jesus—the true Lamb of God—gives His life to save humanity. This passage

reminds us that God is a God who liberates. When Israel was helpless in slavery, God acted

to save them. Their part was to trust Him and follow His instructions. On Maundy Thursday,

we remember that Jesus brings a deeper freedom—not just from physical slavery but from sin

and death. The Eucharist becomes our living remembrance of God’s saving love. Like the

Israelites on that first Passover night, we are also invited to be ready—ready to follow Christ

and to live as people who have been set free by His love.

In the second reading taken from St. Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul reminds

the Christian community in Corinth about the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper. The early

Christians often gathered for a shared meal that included the Eucharist. However, the

community in Corinth had begun to celebrate it in a careless and divided way. Some people

ate and drank selfishly while others were left out. Because of this, Paul reminds them of the

sacred meaning of the Eucharist and calls them back to reverence and unity. Paul highlights

three important ideas. First, the Eucharist is a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. In the

Eucharist, Christ’s saving sacrifice becomes present for us today. Second, it is a

participation in the new covenant established by Jesus’ blood. God forms a new relationship

with His people through Christ. Third, every celebration of the Eucharist is also a

proclamation. Paul says, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the

Lord’s death until He comes.” The Eucharist points both to the cross and to the hope of

Christ’s return. This passage reminds us that the Eucharist is not just a ritual but a living

encounter with Christ. It calls us to gratitude, unity, and love. When we receive the Body and

Blood of Christ, we are invited to live in a way that reflects His self-giving love.

When I was working in the corporate world, I had an experience I never forgot. Our boss

gave us a lot of work and then left the office early, leaving the team to struggle on our own.

Leadership there meant giving orders, not sharing the burden. Later, when I entered the Jesuit

community, I saw something very different. One day after a meal, the Provincial quietly took

not only his plate but also the plates of others and went to wash them. It was a simple act, but

it showed what true leadership looks like: leading by example. This is exactly the kind of

leadership we see in the Gospel of John. On the night before His suffering, during the Last

Supper, Jesus does something shocking. Instead of taking the place of honor, He takes the

role of a servant and washes the feet of His disciples. In the culture of that time, foot washing

was the task of the lowest servant in the household. The roads were dusty, people wore

sandals, and washing feet was considered a humble and even unpleasant job. Yet Jesus, the

Master and Lord, kneels down and washes the feet of His followers.

When Jesus comes to Peter, Peter is uncomfortable and even refuses at first. He cannot

understand why the Lord would do such a humble task. But Jesus explains that this action has

a deeper meaning. It is not only about physical washing; it is a sign of the love and service

that should define the life of every disciple. After washing their feet, Jesus says, “I have

given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” This passage is

especially important on Maundy Thursday. On this night, the Church remembers the Last

Supper and the commandment of love that Jesus gave His disciples. The word “Maundy”

comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment.” Jesus’ commandment is simple

but challenging: love one another through humble service. This message is especially

important in a world where we see so much conflict and violence. In a world still torn by

wars, violence, and divisions, we see how pride and the desire for power destroy lives. Jesus

shows a completely different path. Instead of domination, Jesus chooses humility. Instead of

violence, He shows the power of love. In daily life, “washing feet” may mean helping

someone who is struggling, forgiving someone who hurt us, listening to someone who feels

alone, or doing small acts of love without seeking recognition. In our families, workplaces,

and communities, we are called to lead not by authority but by service. Jesus shows us that

the true path of discipleship begins by kneeling down in love. When we serve others with

humility, we continue the example that Christ gave on that first Maundy Thursday. As we

receive the Eucharist tonight, may we also receive the heart of Christ—the heart that kneels

down to serve. Let us ask ourselves: whose feet am I called to wash? May we be ready to

love, serve, and follow the example of Christ. May God bless us all.