A Night That Changed It All: Holy Thursday & the Priesthood

“Let all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ did the Father, and the priests, as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Apart from the bishop, let no one perform any of the functions that pertain to the Church. Let that Eucharist be held valid which is offered by the bishop or by one to whom the bishop has committed this charge. Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” (St. Ignatius in his letter to the Smyrnaens around AD 107).

Holy Thursday: Where it All Begins

Holy Thursday commemorates two important events: the institution of the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, and the institution of the new covenant priesthood. In this article, the priesthood is covered.

On this particular evening, the faithful will “watch” as the priest, acting in the person of Christ, washes feet-usually 12 men-signifying the disciples. Jesus, becoming a servant, instructs them to do the same.

The Gloria, which has been absent during the solemn period of Lent, returns again. The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins and the faithful will be taken back to the Last Supper as Jesus prepares himself not only for his upcoming Passion, but to show them the way of the new covenant which will be written in his blood. Just as he hinted at in John 6, Jesus begins:

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood…” (Luke 22:19-20).

The Priesthood

The Levitical priesthood of the old covenant is changed to the Melchizedek priesthood of the new. Rather than a descendant of Levi, this “new” priest arises from Judah and was hinted at all the way back with Abraham-before Jacob and the 12 tribes. It is not a brand new priesthood at all, rather it points towards the “father of all nations” and unity. It is new but ancient. According to theologians and commentators Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch,

“Genesis implies that the order of Melchizedek is the patriarchal order of priesthood that functioned for many centuries before the ordination of Aaron and his sons took place at Mt. Sinai [Lev 8:1-36]” 

St. Ignatius of Antioch gives a glimpse into what the early church looked like only decades after Jesus’s death, resurrection and ascension. He was a contemporary and friend of St. Polycarp who not only learned about Jesus from the disciples, but was himself personally discipled by St. John the Evangelist. St. Clement also provides insight around 96 AD. The very beginnings of the Church Jesus founded are written down for discovery for perpetuity and as a beacon for all of those who would come to believe in Christ and seek to worship the Father in “spirt and in truth” (John 4:23-25).

During these next three days, enter into the living Passion of Christ as you walk through the Triduum with his church.

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