Dear Brethren,
As we celebrate Holy Thursday, we remember the last meal of Jesus with his disciples. During the Last Supper, Jesus accomplished three important gestures: Communion, through the institution of the Holy Eucharist; Service through the washing of the feet, and the commandment of love. These gestures are living challenges that speak to each one of us today. Let us break them down one by one:
The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with each other
Saint Paul, in the second reading, reminds us of the very words of Jesus spoken on that holy night. They are the same words the priest repeats at every consecration, words that carry life and salvation.
On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. He gave thanks, he broke it, and he said: “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and declared: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–25). What do these words mean to us today?
Each time we gather around the altar, Christ himself gives us his body and his blood. He gives us his very life, so that we may live in him. The Eucharist is not only about me and Jesus. It is also about us together. Sharing the same bread means we are one family. But what does it mean to receive Communion if I still carry hate in my heart, if I divide people, if I reject others? How can we say we are united with Christ if we reject our brother or sister? Too often, we see people who go to church, who receive Communion, but then go out and gossip, destroy other people’s reputation, sow division, and live with jealousy. Families are divided, communities are torn apart by tribalism, racism, and religious fights. The Eucharist is a call to reconciliation. It is a call to forgive, to heal, to build bridges. It challenges us to look around and see the suffering of our brothers and sisters, and not remain indifferent. If we truly share the bread of life, then we must also share life itself; respect, dignity, and compassion for all.
Sometimes, even in our communities, we fall into the same contradictions. Confreres live under one roof, yet they do not live in harmony. Brothers who share the same table of the Eucharist may still carry resentment, compete for influence, or seek the favour of Christians at the expense of their own confreres. How can we proclaim unity in Christ while allowing division to grow among us? The Eucharist we celebrate every day is not just a ritual or a habit to be repeated; rather, a call to be our brother’s keeper, to put love, compassion, and unity at the centre of our agenda. If we truly believe that Christ gives himself fully to us, then we must also give ourselves fully to one another, building communities where reconciliation is stronger than rivalry, and where fraternity is lived as a witness to the Gospel.
The Washing of Feet: true leadership is service
Jesus, the Master, bent down and washed the feet of his disciples. This was shocking to many. The one who is Lord became the servant. He showed us that true leadership is not about power, but about service. Yet look at our world today. Too many leaders, political and even religious, fight for power only to dominate. They cling to their positions at any cost, forgetting the people they are supposed to serve. But Jesus shows us another way: leadership is service. Power is not for crushing others; it is for lifting them up. True power is service, and without service, power becomes oppression.
The world cries out for leaders who serve, who protect and care for those entrusted to them. Like Jesus, let us be those leaders who listen more and speak less, who put the needs of the people before our own. True leadership is not about showing off or giving extraordinary gifts, but about being present, humble, and ready to serve. Let us choose to give up pride, comfort, and power so that others may rise.
The New Commandment: love one another
Jesus gave us a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” These are not just words. It is action. Real love does not exclude. Real love does not reject the foreigner, the immigrant, the poor. Yet today, love is spoken in speeches, but not lived in reality. Jesus calls us to a love that is concrete: a love that welcomes the stranger, protects the weak, breaks down walls of division, and embraces everyone with dignity. Love must be real, not just a slogan. Love must be lived, not just spoken. So, the question remains: whom do we really love?
Jesus never commanded us to love our religion, our ideologies, or only those of our same race. He told us to love one another. His commandment to love our neighbours leaves no room for choosing which neighbour deserves love. We are called to love regardless of race, class, social status, or gender. Yet we live in a world where many walk around with a mouth full of scripture but a heart full of hate. A friend of mine once said: “Don’t tell me what you believe, show me how you treat other people, and I will know what you believe”. If our love for scripture does not push us to love others, then that love is fake. As one theologian put it: “If my religion tries to come between me and my neighbour, I will choose my neighbour.” Truly, they will know we are Christians by the love we have for one another.
Therefore, Holy Thursday is a mirror. It shows us who we are. We are challenged today: are we living communion, service, and love, or are we living hypocrisy, division, and selfishness? Let us allow the Eucharist to unite us. Let us kneel down and serve, like Jesus. Let us commit to love in truth, not only in words. May the power of the Resurrection free us from pride and selfishness, so that we may embrace inclusion, respect, and dignity for all. Amen
By: Louis Kangwa, M.Afr.