Homily for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Diocese of Meath
Holy Thursday 2025
17 -April-25
Dear friends in this hour, God will change Peter and those gathered with Him; indeed, if we remain with Him he will change us too.
Change comes this evening. Judas goes out into the night of desolation, abandoning the Lord, for the passing lure of this world. On the other hand, Peter is washed in the love of Christ, the twelve are given their commission to be Ministers of the Body of Jesus and to hand on this “Memory” to priests and people down the ages. “ Do this in memory of me.”
“Do this in memory of me.” Before studying for the Priesthood, I was a tradesman, a man who painted and restored. In coming close to the Lord, in following Him on the path of life, in sitting with Him and coming to His table; I have been changed into a labourer who puts on His clothing of service, who holds His Body, His Blood, who says His words, “Do this in Memory of me.” Christ who is the Master that serves, called and changed me to be as Him for others. Holy Thursday is the hour we remember the essential gift of the Sacred Priesthood. Jesus commissions the disciples; He still kneels, removes His glory and wishes to call men to put on His service for others. As St Ambrose said, “Christ made priests the vicars of His love.” May many men allow Jesus to be ministers of His memory, of His love for others. Let us pray for that this evening.
“Do this in memory of me.” This evening, we also give thanks for the treasure of the Holy Mass, in which the Last Supper comes to us again and again in the open memory of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, the bread and wine are changed into Him; into God remaining with us. When we receive this treasure, we are changed too; the Lord comes into us. He urges us to kneel, be humble and to be bringers of His love. A love displayed in the last Supper, where He gives His Body for us. Peter and the disciples are changed by the Jesus stripped but so are all of us.
Jesus changes us, He remains with us, He calls us. This evening let us sit with Peter and the Disciples and follow Him on the path of life. Amen.
Very Rev. Tony Gonoude
Priest of the Diocese of Meath, Parish Priest of Ballynacarrigy, Vocations Director.