Catholic Pundit Wannabe: Thursday of Holy Week: Traditional Commentary and Chant

Man with the Jar of Water

"In a particular way, make Holy Thursday a day of profound thanksgiving for the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood, which Our Lord instituted at the Last Supper."—Cardinal Raymond Burke

Maundy Thursday
"This is the first day of the Azymes, or Feast of the Unleavened Bread. At sunset, the Jews must eat the Pasch in Jerusalem. Jesus is still in Bethania; but he will return to the City before the hour for the Paschal supper. The Law commands this; and, until he has abrogated the Law by the shedding of his Blood, he wishes to observe its ordinances. He therefore sends two of his Disciples to get everything ready for the Pasch, without, however, telling them the great Mystery, wherewith it is to terminate. . . .

"Jesus, who knew all things, tells them by what sign they are to know the house, which he intends to honour with his presence : they have but to follow a man, whom they will see carrying a pitcher of water. The house to which this man is going, belongs to a rich Jew, who recognises Jesus as the Messias. The two Apostles apprise him of their Master’s wishes; and immediately he puts at their disposal a large and richly furnished room. It was fitting, that the place, where the most august Mystery was to he instituted, should he something above the common. . . . In it was to be erected the first Altar for the offering up of the clean oblation, foretold by the Prophet: in it was to commence the Christian Priesthood: in it, finally, fifty days later on, the Church of Christ, collected together and visited by the Holy Ghost, was to make herself known to the world, and promulgate the new and universal Covenant of God with men. . . .

"In a few hours, the Divine Master and his Disciples will be standing round the table, their loins girt, and staves in their hands ; and, for the last time, they will observe the solemn rite prescribed by God to his people, when they first went forth from Egypt."

The Last Supper

The Passover Meal

The Passover meal "is followed by a feast . . .. It was the custom in the East, that guests should repose two and two on couches round the table; these have been provided by the disciple, who has placed his house at Jesus’ service. John is on the same couch as Jesus, so that it is easy for him to lean his head upon his Master’s breast. Peter is on the next couch, on the other side of Jesus, who is thus between the two Disciples, whom he had sent, in the morning, to prepare the Pasch, and who . . . represent Faith and Love.

The Supper

"This second repast is a sorrowful one, in consequence of Jesus having told the guests, that one of them is a traitor."

The Washing of the Apostles' Feet

Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples

"As soon as the second repast was over, Jesus suddenly rises, and, to the astonishment of his Apostles, takes off his upper garment, girds himself, as a servant, with a towel, pours water into a basin, and prepares to wash the feet of the guests. . . . Jesus is about to regale his Apostles with a Divine Banquet ; he wishes to treat them with every possible mark of welcome and attention. But in this, as in every other action of his, there is a fund of instruction: he would teach us, by what he is now doing, how great is the purity, wherewith we should approach the Holy Table. He that is washed, says he, needeth not but to wash his feet ; as though he would say : ” The holiness of ” this Table is such, that they who come to it, should ” not only be free from grievous sins, but they should, ” moreover, strive to cleanse their souls from those “lesser faults, which come from contact with the ” world, and are like the dust that covers the feet of ” one that walks on the high-way.” We will explain further on, the other teachings conveyed by this action of our Lord.

"It is with Peter, the future head of his Church, that Jesus begins. The Apostle protests; he declares that he will never permit his Master to humble himself so low as this: but he is obliged to yield. The other Apostles, (who, as Peter himself, are reclining upon their couches), receive the same mark of love: Jesus comes to each of them in turn, and washes their feet. Judas is not excepted: he has just received a second warning from his merciful Master; for Jesus, addressing himself to all the Apostles, said to them: You are clean ; but not all: but the reproach produced no effect upon this hardened heart."

"But the Apostles little expect a third Supper, Jesus has not told them of his intention ; but he had made a promise, and he would fulfil it before his Passion. Speaking, one day, to the people, he had said: I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever, and the Bread that I will give, is my Flesh for the life of the world. My Flesh is meat indeed, and my Blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood, abideth in me, and I in him. The time has come for the fulfilment of this his loving promise. But as it was both his Flesh and his Blood that he promised us, he waited till the time of his sacrifice. His Passion has begun; he is sold to his enemies ; his life is already in their hands; he may at once, therefore, offer himself in sacrifice, and give to his Disciples the very Flesh and Blood of the Victim."

The First Eucharist

The Communion of the Apostles

"Having finished washing the feet of the Twelve, Jesus resumes his place, side by side with John. Then taking a piece of the unleavened bread, that had remained over from the feast, he raises his eyes to heaven, blesses the bread, breaks it, and distributes it to his Disciples, saying to them: Take ye, and eat; this is my Body. The Apostles take the bread, which is now changed into the Body of their Divine Master: they eat ; — and Jesus is, now, not only with them, but in them. But, as this sacred mystery is not only the most holy of the Sacraments, but, moreover, a true Sacrifice; and as a Sacrifice requires the shedding of blood; our Jesus takes the cup, and changing the wine into his own Blood, he passes it round to his Disciples, saying to them: Drink ye, all, of this; for this is my Blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many, unto remission of sins."

"The institution of the Holy Eucharist, both as a Sacrament and Sacrifice, is followed by another, the institution of a new Priesthood. How could our Saviour have said: Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his Blood, you shall not have life in you? — unless he had resolved to establish a ministry upon earth, whereby he would renew, even to the end of time, the great Mystery he thus commands us to receive ? He begins it to-day, in the Cenacle. The twelve Apostles are the first to partake of it: but observe what he says to them: Do this for a commemoration of me? By these words, he gives them power to change bread into his Body, and wine into his Blood; and this sublime power shall be perpetuated in the Church, by holy Ordination, even to the end of the world. Jesus will continue to operate, by the ministry of mortal and sinful men, the Mystery of the Last Supper. By thus enriching his Church with the one and perpetual Sacrifice, he also gives us the means of abiding in him, for he gives us, as he promised, the Bread of heaven. To-day, then, we keep the anniversary, not only of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, but, also, of the equally wonderful Institution of the Christian Priesthood."

"The Apostles drink from the sacred chalice thus proffered them; when it comes to Judas, he too, partakes of it, but he drinks his own damnation, as he ate his own judgment, when he received the Bread of Life. Jesus, however, mercifully offers the traitor another grace, by saying, as he gives the Cup to his Disciples: The hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table . . ..

"Peter is struck by Jesus thus frequently alluding to the crime, which is to be committed by one of the Twelve. He is determined to find out who the traitor is. Not daring himself to ask Jesus, at whose right hand he is sitting, he makes a sign to John, who is on the other side, and begs him to put the question. John leans on Jesus’ breast, and says to him in a whisper : Lord, who is it ? Jesus answers him in an equally suppressed tone : He to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And having taken one of the pieces of bread that remained over from the repast, he dipped it, and gave it to Judas.

Judas Leaves the Upper Room

"It was one more grace offered and refused, for the Evangelist adds: And after the morsel, Satan entered into him Jesus again addresses him, saying: That which thou dost, do quickly. The wretch then leaves the room, and sets about the perpetration of his crime."

Last Words of Jesus to His Apostles

The Last Discourse

"Jesus then turns to his faithful Apostles, and says to them : Now is the Son of Man glorified. Yes, his Passion is to be followed by triumph and glory; and the Passion has already begun, for Judas has commenced his work of betraying him.

"Meanwhile, the Apostles . . . begin to dispute among themselves, which of them should seem to be greater.

"Jesus puts an end to this dispute, by giving to these future Pastors of his Church a lesson of humility. There shall, it is true, be a Head among them, but, says our Redeemer, let him that is the greater among you become as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. He bids them look at him: he is their Master, and yet, says he, I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth? Then turning towards Peter, he thus addresses him: Simon, Simon ! behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy Brethren} This last interview is, as it were, our Saviour’s Testament; he provides for his Church, before leaving her. The Apostles are to be Peter’s Brethren, but Peter is to be their Head."

"Jesus, after having provided for the future of his Church by the words he addressed to Peter, thus speaks affectionately to all the eleven: Little children ! yet a little while I am with you. Love one an other. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another. Peter says to him : Lord! whither goest thou? Whither I go, answers Jesus, thou canst not now follow me; but thou shalt follow hereafter. Why cannot I follow thee now? again asks Peter: I will lay down my life for thee. Wilt thou, replies Jesus, lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee: the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice. Peter’s love for Jesus had too much of the human about it, for it was not based on humility. Presumption comes from pride: it almost always results in a fall. In order to prepare Peter for his future ministry of pardon, as also to give us a useful lesson, God permits that he, who was soon to be made Prince of the Apostles, should fall into a most grievous and humiliating sin.

"But let us return to the instructions contained in the last words spoken by our Jesus before he leaves his disciples. I am, says he, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If you love me, keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father. I will not now speak many things with you, for the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not anything. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I, — arise, let us go hence. Deeply impressed by these words, the Disciples arise, and, after the hymn of thanksgiving has been said, they accompany Jesus to Mount Olivet."

The Agony in the Garden

"Having come as far as Gethsemani, he goes into a garden, whither he had often led his Apostles and rested there with them.

My Soul Is Sorrowful Even Unto Death

"Suddenly, his Soul is over-powered with grief; his Human Nature experiences, as it were, a suspension of that beatitude, which results from its union with the Divinity. This his Humanity will be interiorly supported, even to the very last moment of his Passion ; but it must bear everything that it is possible for it to bear. Jesus feels such intense sadness, that the very presence of his Disciples is insupportable; he leaves them, taking with him only Peter, James, and John, who, a short time before, had been witnesses of his glorious Transfiguration:—will they show greater courage than the rest, when they see their Divine Master in the hands of his enemies? His words show them what a sudden change has come over him. He whose language was, a few moments before, so calm, his look so serene, and his tone of voice so sweet, now says to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death : stay you here, and watch with me.

"He leaves them, and goes to a grotto, which is about a stone’s throw distant. Even to this day it exists, perpetuating the memory of the terrible event.

Grotto of the Agony

"There does our Jesus prostrate himself, and prays, saying: Father! all things are possible to thee. Remove this chalice from me: but, not what I will, but what thou wilt. Whilst thus praying, a Sweat of Blood flows from his body and bathes the ground. It is not merely a swooning, it is an Agony, that he suffers.

Jesus Ministered to by Angels

"God sends help to his sinking frame, and it is an Angel that is entrusted with the office. Jesus is treated as man; his Humanity, exhausted as it is, is to receive no other sensible aid than that which is now brought him by an Angel (whom tradition affirms to have been Gabriel.) Hereupon he rises, and again accepts the Chalice prepared for him. But what a Chalice!—every pain that body and soul can suffer; the sins of the whole world taken upon himself, and crying out vengeance against him; the ingratitude of men, many of whom will make his Sacrifice useless. Jesus has to accept all this, and at the very time, when he seems to be left to his Human Nature. The power of the Divinity, which is in him, supports him: but it does not prevent him from feeling every suffering, just as though he had been mere Man. He begins his Prayer by asking that the Chalice may be taken from him; he ends it by saying to his Father: Not my will, but thine be done!

You Could Not Watch One Hour With Me

"Jesus then rises, leaving the earth covered with the Blood of his Agony: it is the first Bloodshedding of his Passion. He goes to his three Disciples, and, finding them asleep, says to them: What! could you not watch one hour with me? This was the beginning of that feature of his sufferings, which consists in his being abandoned. He twice returns to the grotto, and repeats his sorrowful, but submissive, prayer; twice he returns to his Disciples, whom he had asked to watch near him, but, at each time, finds them asleep. At length, he speaks to them, saying: Sleep ye now, and take your rest! Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Then resuming the energy of his divine courage, he adds: Rise! let us go! Behold, he is at hand that will betray me!

The Procession of Judas

"A numerous body of armed men enter the Garden with torches in their hands. Judas is at their head.

Judas Betrays Jesus with a Kiss

"The betrayal is made by a profanation of the sign of friendship. Judas! dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss. These piercing words should have made the traitor throw himself at his Master’s feet, and ask pardon; but it was too late: he feared the soldiers.

Guards Falling Backwards

"But the servants of the High Priest cannot lay hands on Jesus, unless he, their Victim, permit them to do so. With one single word, he casts them prostrate on the ground. Then permitting them to rise, he says to them, with all the majesty of a King: If you seek Me, let these go their way. You are come out, as it were against a thief with swords and clubs. When I was daily with you in the Temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then turning to Peter, who had drawn and used his sword, he says to him: Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently twelve legions of Angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled? And now, Jesus permits himself to be led. Whereupon, his Apostles run away in fear. Peter and another Disciple follow him, but as far off as they can. The soldiers lead Jesus by the same road along which he had passed on the previous Sunday, when the people met him with palm and olive branches in their hands.

The Brook Cedron

"They cross the brook Cedron; and there is a tradition of the Church of Jerusalem, that the soldiers as they passed the bridge, threw Jesus into the water. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of David: He shall drink of the torrent in the way.

"They reach the City walls. The gate is opened, and the divine Prisoner enters. It is night, and the inhabitants know not the crime that has been committed. It is only on the morrow, that they will learn that Jesus of Nazareth, the great Prophet, has fallen into the hands of the Chief Priests and Pharisees. The night is far advanced; but many hours must elapse before the dawn of day. The enemies of Jesus have arranged to take him, in the morning, to Pontius Pilate, and accuse him as being a disturber of the peace: but in the meanwhile, they intend to condemn him as guilty in matters of religion! Their tribunal has authority to judge in cases of this nature, only they cannot pass sentence of death upon a culprit, how guilty soever they may prove him. They, consequently, hurry Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the High Priest Caiphas. Here is to take place the first examination. . . .

"What a day is this that we have been spending! How full of Jesus’ love! He has given us his Body and Blood to be our Food; he has instituted the Priesthood of the New Testament; he has poured out upon the world the sublimest instructions of his loving Heart. We have seen him struggling with the feelings of human weakness, as he beheld the Chalice of the Passion that was prepared for him; but he triumphed over all, in order to save us. We have seen him betrayed, fettered, and led captive into the holy City, there to consummate his Sacrifice. Let us adore and love this Jesus, who might have saved us by one and the least of all these humiliations ; but whose love for us was not satisfied unless he drank, to the very dregs, the Chalice he had accepted from his Father."

Gradual: Christus factus est pro nobis
Phil 2:8-9
Christus factus est pro nobis obœ́diens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis
V. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum: et dedit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen.

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even to the death of the cross.

V. For which cause God also exalted Him and hath given Him a Name which is above all names.

This post is part of a series titled "Traditions of Holy Week," with commentary from Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, illustrations by James Tissot for The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and chants from each day's liturgy. Unless otherwise indicated, the quotes are from Dom Guerangér's writings for each day. See also: