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RADICAL LOVE OF GOD AND METAPHOR OF TOWEL: QUIAPO CHURCH OBSERVES THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Nov. 30, 2024 04:39 PM

Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano, LMRS presided the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on March 28, 2024, at exactly 5:00 P.M at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno. This was concelebrated with the Basilica-Shrine rector and parish priest, Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr. and the accompanying priests, Rev. Fr. Jonathan Mojica, Rev. Fr. Paul Medina and other clergy.

God loves radically. At the beginning, Fr. Arellano explained the significance of the celebration where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to set an example for them on how to truly serve others, and likewise, His establishment of the Holy Eucharist as a concrete and complete self-offering for others, the teachings and examples of Jesus rooted in Love.

In his reflection, Fr. Arellano emphasized the nature of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who serves and loves. He said, “Jesus of Nazareth gave a clear and concrete example: He washed and kissed the feet of the disciples.” The Lord Jesus of Nazareth wants to make us feel that even in our smallest, deepest, and most hidden experiences, the Lord is always with us and we are important to Him.

Fr. Arellano also explained the reason Jesus did not hesitate to wash the disciples’ feet is because Jesus loves. “In a person who loves, your past doesn’t matter to them, your scent doesn’t matter to them, your appearance doesn’t matter to them. What matters to them is that you love them unconditionally.”

At the end of his homily, Fr. Arellano described Jesus of Nazareth as a towel, who can cleanse our lives. He also said that Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is equivalent to Him taking on their sins, and this will lead to the fulfillment of God’s will for us – to be clean and have a new form.

After the Homily, the Washing of the Feet was performed, participated in by selected street dwellers and members of Hijos de Nazareno.

During the Holy Mass, the Chrism Oil and Oil for the Sick were also offered. The holy oils were consecrated during the Chrism Mass held this morning at the Manila Cathedral, led by His Eminence, Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila.

After the Communion Prayer, the procession of the Blessed Sacrament was immediately held inside the Basilica towards the Altar of Repose, where it was venerated by the faithful until midnight.

– Originally written in Tagalog by John Darrel J. Medina and translated in English by Kidanzac A. Tallada (ADRM & EIAM)