You can see me. I am unable to see you. Spatially we are distanced. But timewise we are instant. You virtually participate in this Mass. Yet, I cannot give you communion. So, leaving space and time behind, let us go back to that place and time, when Jesus took bread and said, ‘Take it and eat it.’

The place was Jerusalem and the time was the Passover celebration. Jesus was at table with the apostles. Jesus began to wash their feet – the job of a slave. On this day Jesus instituted two sacraments – the Priesthood and the Eucharist. By washing their feet, he inculcated in them the virtue of humility and the value of charity. He gave the new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Priesthood is for the ministry of love and charity.

Then Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many;” “Do this in memory of me.” Jesus established the holy Eucharist as his enduring real presence among us.

Throughout the world this evening priests celebrate the Eucharist. This pure sacrifice is offered from the rising of the Sun to its setting ceaselessly. As you participate in this Mass, you are uniting yourselves to all the faithful, who join the Masses celebrated in every nook and corner of the world. The global faithful come together in the Eucharistic celebration through ministerial priesthood.

The holy oils are here: the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and the sacred chrism. The Bishop blessed them at the Chrism Mass and every parish is given a portion. They will be used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the sick and the Holy orders.  

Because you are not present here, there is no washing of the feet nor the Eucharistic procession. In place of the ceremonial washing of the feet, let us take a resolution that we will serve instead of being served. And pray for the grace that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console to be understood as to understand; and to be loved as to love. In place of the Eucharistic procession, let us pray that God may pitch His tent among us and walk with us in our day today lives.

As we celebrate this new Passover, may God lead us from slavery to freedom; from darkness to light; from suffering to joy; and from this sickness of coronavirus to fullness of health!

May God bless us! May the Good shepherd lead us to eternal pastures! May God keep us together in His providential love!