Holy Thursday 2013

Not long ago, The History Channel showed a documentary in which scientists attempted to create what may be the most realistic 3-D image of the face of Christ. They spent many months on the project, using sophisticated computer technology to craft the image from the Shroud of Turin. The result is the face of a young man with long hair, and a beard, and scars, and blood stains around his brow. The computer estimates that he’d be about 5’8″. He looks heavier, more muscular than most may think...

…What Jesus really looked like has fascinated us for centuries, and it’s not just what he looked like, but what he did, that is the most important thing. We see him depicted so often in art as a crucified victim, or a good shepherd, or a teacher preaching to his followers. But tonight we are given a very different picture of Jesus. And it may be more surprising than anything you’d see on the History Channel. We see him on his knees, wiping away dirt, washing feet. This is truly what it means to be Christ: I have given you a model to follow, he tells his apostles. So that as I have done for you, you should also do.

So, for all those who ask the eternal question, “What would Jesus do?,” here is your answer, as simple as this.

This night when we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, and the institution of the priesthood the liturgy of the Church does not offer us a gospel reading about Christ giving us himself in the form of bread and wine. Instead, it gives us this gospel reading. Tonight, God gets down on his knees for us. Tonight, He lowers himself. Tonight, He becomes a servant to the world, so from this, we learn what it means to be like Christ.

One of his last acts on earth is spent taking care of them, purifying them, removing the dust of the day. Perhaps he is anticipating the roads they will travel in the hours ahead. So, the Imitation of Christ begins with this moment: It is in the selfless service, doing what others won’t do, or can’t.

Today is also a night to give thanks for the gift of the priesthood. It is not important if the priest is good, or is sympathetic, or if he preaches right or wrong, what matters is that it represents Jesus Christ.

Eucharist and priesthood. These are the two miracles we celebrate tonight, the two miracles for what we give thanks to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As I have done for you, you should also do. That is Christ’s message to his followers 2,000 years ago – and, of course, to us tonight. And so, this night, confronted with this challenging gospel reading, it’s worth asking ourselves: what have we done? How many feet have we washed? How have I tried to imitate Christ?

Science and technology can only tell us so much. The fact remains: if you want to really know what Jesus looked like, you won’t find it on the History Channel. You won’t even find it on the Shroud of Turin. Look, instead, to tonight’s gospel.

Because here – on his knees before others, his head lowered in humility and in love, doing the work of a slave – here is where you see the true image of Christ ■