Maundy Thursday — Chrism Mass
Isa 61:1-3,6,8-9
Apo 1:5-8
Lk 4:16-21
…to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free…
It is said that this text from Isaiah has been fulfilled. Jesus came into the world, filled with the Holy Spirit, he went out on mission “to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind, new sight, to set the downtrodden free”. The good news continues to be brought to everyone at mass and at evangelical missions. Many found freedom from the bonds of sin through the sacrament of reconciliation. Eyes are opened when there’s conversion of the hearts.
Do all these apply to us; in particular, to our own faith? I have personally experienced the good news through the Word of God. Through scripture, I found countless spiritual insights, wisdom and new perspectives on life. The good news is, first and foremost, that God so loved the world that He sent his only son Jesus, to be crucified for our sake, so that the gates of heaven are now opened for us. His resurrection means that he will walk with us pilgrims on this journey towards our final destination. It is through scripture and the many parables in the bible where Jesus teaches us how to be more like him. There are so many lessons to be learnt. When someone slaps us on the cheek, turn the other cheek too. We must forgive our brothers and sisters not once, but seventy times seven times. Blessed are those who remain poor in spirit, in humility, for only then can we find the kingdom of God. Do not judge, for nobody is perfect. Be charitable, go and feed the hungry, for everything we own belongs to God. We must love God first and next, our neighbours — who are our brothers and sisters, so our love should not be limited to just our own family. There’s so much more. So you see, to follow Jesus is really not so easy.
Freedom is not about being able to go wherever we want, doing whatever we like. The freedom that Jesus is talking come from total trust in the Lord. It is freedom of self. I felt true freedom when I am no longer fearful or worried about the trials that come my way, because I can unburden them on Jesus. I am less fearful of the things he calls me to do – speaking to strangers, standing up for my faith, sharing my life with others, and doing difficult but the right things. I am less self-conscious because I know that whatever I do, I do it for him and I don’t need to care how others judge me, as God is the only judge I should worry about. I used to be a worrywart. Nowadays, I will not hesitate to tell Jesus to take over when I can’t handle it. Rather than constantly worrying about things I can’t change now, I will keep praying for things I hope will change one day.
My eyes opened when I encountered Jesus during contemplation and meditation. Spending a lot of time in eucharistic adoration helps. I started to feel an interior change when I spent more time sitting with him, when his gentle and quiet spirit fills me, when I talk to him like a friend, and when I turn to him for every choice and decision. My perspective on life changed. I started to see that life is more than just about work, my paycheck, financial stability, and family. Slowly, I began to find purpose in life through God’s will, not mine. My 25-year career in media as a journalist suddenly didn’t feel right anymore. At a time when I was looking for a career switch, the education sector was not in my list of considerations. But after a year of job applications, the only door that opened for me was the one as a polytechnic lecturer. It took a lot of faith to trust that this is God’s will for me. The path may not be an easy one, but as long as I cling on to him, I know that he will send help along the way.
What will happen tomorrow, next month or year? I don’t make plans anymore. I live as he wills it, and that makes me feel free because I no longer worry about whether I’ll get a promotion, when my children will get married or whether I’ll live to 80.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to see the good news that you’ve given to us, to experience true freedom in trusting you completely. Help us to surrender the many things we want to have control over. You take charge, Lord.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Jesus, for dying for us because you love us so much and for wanting to be with us until the end of time. We love you Jesus. Amen.
When the Hour Comes
Maundy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Exo 12:1-8,11-14
1 Cor 11:23-26
Jn 13:1-15
“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
On Maundy Thursday, we recall Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and we also see this paraliturgy taking place in church during the Mass of The Lord’s Supper. It is a powerful act where washing of someone’s feet comes from a place of humility and true contrition. I had my feet washed once at a retreat where the priest washed our feet on behalf of all the priests who’ve hurt us. Yes, priests too, can unknowingly hurt their parishioners. But that’s not the main point of my reflection today.
What touched me is what was going through Jesus’ mind knowing “that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father”. Lately, I have been thinking about my own mortality. Will I be prepared to meet Jesus in the flesh when the hour comes? Or will I suddenly be afraid or feel sad to leave my loved ones behind? I think I will be quite excited to finally meet Jesus in the flesh. I have been thinking of writing my own eulogy, of what I want to say to the people who have come to pay respects at my funeral. I want the people I leave behind to be happy for me, to remember me as a child of God, a faithful servant, and especially someone who loves Jesus a lot.
All that said, Jesus like us, must have felt the same emotions as any when death came knocking at his door, and especially knowing that he would suffer a terrible death before going back to his Father. Perhaps, we should take some time to prepare ourselves, not for death but for life. To live out the rest of our lives meaningfully and purposefully, one devoted to our beliefs and to our maker. After all, we owe our lives to Him, and we will go back to Him one day (if we live by his will). We can’t live as if there’s no tomorrow, as if our life is our own to live only.
Jesus was always thinking about others, about the ones he left behind when he dies — at the Last Supper and on the Cross. He made sure that those left behind will not be ‘orphans’ and will be looked after. Loving others to the end means having a duty to ensure we continue doing our part as the face of Jesus, to those who do not yet know him and to bring our own families close to God. Let us try to do our best to help those around us see that this life on earth is just temporal, that we should be striving for our heavenly Father, not anyone else or ourselves. I know it’s hard, as we all have commitments to our family and work. We can juggle with what we need to do, at the same time fix our eyes on Jesus and our end goal. Interestingly, this morning I turned to ChatGPT, asking him a rather profound question – to evaluate if my job is meaningful and aligns with the Catholic faith. It actually provided a really deep, insightful and spiritually-led response. God speaks through anyone and anything. As weary doubts start to bubble up every now and then, it is good to do a self-check-in. Keep praying for Jesus to guide our way and for others too, especially those in need of God’s mercy. Then at least we’re working our way to where God wants us to be.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to have forgiveness in our hearts, ready to forgive and reconcile with those who hurt us, as well as for us to remain humble as we seek forgiveness. Help us to be ready when the hour comes. We ask this in the most precious name of Jesus. Amen
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Jesus, for being with us every day — in our joys and in our sadness, in the times when we’re energised and when we’re burned out. Thank you for loving us so much. Fill us with your love. Amen
OXYGEN 
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