2026 Cycle A - Holy Thursday

Readings

Holy Thursday

Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Rev 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21 Need Psalm

Evening Mass: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 13:34; John 13:1-15

Homily Theme

Christ’s Anointed Priests

This week I have chosen to develop an important aspect mostly forgotten on Holy Thursday. It is not just a day to celebrate the Last Supper when Jesus gave us the Holy Eucharist for the first time. It is also the day when the Apostles themselves were changed forever to become Christ’s Anointed Priests: Priests forever according to the Order of Melchisedech. 

During a discussion with a Protestant Minister, I was asked why  we Catholic Clergy insist on calling ourselves Priests.  Why don’t we just call ourselves Ministers or Pastors as they do?  Wouldn’t that make us more truly ecumenical?  I responded by asking him what he claimed to do as a Minister that only he could do in his Church? Did he believe he could change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ? He said that he didn’t claim that. It was just a symbol.  That is why we claim to be Priests and not just Ministers or Pastors. Only Christ’s Anointed Priests according to the Order of Melchisedech claim the power to change the bread and wine into the real presence of Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This power has been passed on to men by the laying on of hands since the time of the apostles:  Nonstop, apostolic succession. Jesus said at the Last Supper: This is My Body. This is My Blood. St. Paul believed it also.  Read I st Corinthians 10 & 11.

On Holy Thursday there are always two special Masses celebrated; one for all of the people of God in their respective parish churches; and the other in the local diocesan Cathedral, where a special Mass is celebrated by the bishop together with the anointed priests who gather to renew their priestly vows of obedience to the Lord and the bishop. At this Mass the Holy Oils for use of the Anointed Priests  are blessed. This Mass is named a Chrism Mass because of the name of the Oil of Chrism which is blessed during this celebration.

As you attend Holy Mass this Thursday, renew your faith in the Body and Blood of Jesus, truly present there on the altar, and pray for all clergy, deacons and priests and for all the seminarians; future candidates for Christ’s Anointed Priesthood. Remember without ordained priests there is no Holy Eucharist. The non Catholic Ministers do not claim to change bread and wine into the Body and blood of Jesus.