Today is Holy Thursday, a day set aside to commemorate the Last Supper and Jesus' foot washing of the apostles.
According to Catholic News Agency, today is probably one of the most important days for the Church.
Here is why:
The Last Supper: This is marked because it was the last meal for Jesus with his disciples before he was crucified. Matthew 26:17-30, Luke 22:7-38 and Mark 14:12-25 all describe this important meal.
He washed the feet of his disciples. John 13:12-16: "After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them."
He gave the "new commandment" to love one another: During the meal, he teaches us how to serve others, to put others before ourselves. John 13:34 says, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another."!
It was the first time the Holy Communion was shared: The Catholic church offers the Holy Communion during every single mass while some Protestant churches do this occasionally. This is to make the first Holy Communion offered by Jesus Christ. It is important because it represents the body and blood of our Savior. John 6:53-54 says, "So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you,unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.…"
We see Jesus, the son of God, struggle: In Matthew 26:36-44, we see Jesus go to pray in Gethsemane. Verse 39 says, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Verse 42 says, "Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 44: "So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again."
