NEW FAIRFIELD – Modeling the behavior of Christ was the message at the Holy Thursday Mass at St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield.
“Christ humbles himself to all humanity out of love, so they may learn to love,” said Pastor Father Robert Wolfe during his homily about the Last Supper.
“We are meant to be like Him, to become humble,” he said, reflecting on the Lord’s actions of washing the feet of the Twelve Apostles on the eve of his Crucifixion.
In Jesus’ time, it was the job of the slave, servant or children of a household, not the master of the house, to wash the feet of a visitor as an act of hospitality. The Apostles called Jesus master so it was hard for them to understand why Jesus would want to wash their feet.
On this night, the mass celebration included washing the feet of 12 volunteers from the parish. The reenactment of the washing of feet, imitates the humility and selfless love of Jesus, who washed the feet of the Twelve Apostles at the Last Supper.
“The Lord in that moment revealed to us what charity should look like; to care very little about what others may think,” he said.
“And now I summon my 12,” he said, as he concluded his homily. “I am not ashamed to throw myself down for them.” Fr. Wolfe then proceeded to come to the foot of the altar, assisted by altar servers and Associate Pastor Fr. Tim Iannacone, he washed the feet of 12 members of the parish.
Fr. Wolfe’s homily not only focused on modeling Christ’s behavior as a servant but also living a life of service to others.
“It is in this Blessed Sacrament that we learn what it means to give of oneself,” he said. “Everything that we are comes from Him. Everywhere we go we are to bring Him.”
“What we receive we are to share,” he said. “That is the pattern of life the master has given us.”
At the conclusion of mass, Fr. Wolfe processed with altar servers and Fr. Iannacone around the perimeter of the church for the transfer of the Eucharist of Exposition to the Exposition Altar in the parish hall. The “altar of repose” was surrounded by candlelight, palms, lilies and other spring flowers.
The congregation left the church in silence to enter the parish hall where many sat and prayed. The church remained opened for those wishing to participate in the Pilgrimage to the Seven Churches.
The custom is practiced by many Catholics around the world to honor keeping watch with Jesus as he had asked his disciples to stay and keep watch with Him before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.
