Institution of Eucharist from Passion’s Tree of Life – Apr 02 – Homily – Fr Dominic

Fr Dominic gives the homily at Griswold, CT, on Apr 02, 2026, reflecting on Holy Thursday's Last Supper where Jesus, sorrowful yet loving, washes the apostles' feet including Judas', institutes the Eucharist as the greatest act of love, and commands us to love one another as He has loved us, inviting us into His suffering, death, and resurrection through the Triduum.

Fr. Dominic's Holy Thursday homily immerses listeners in the upper room during the Last Supper, the start of the Triduum, as Jesus' long-awaited hour of suffering unfolds. Sorrowful yet filled with love, Jesus foresees His torture and death for our sins, yet washes even Judas' feet—a slave's task—demonstrating profound humility and condescension to raise us up. This act symbolizes baptism and confession's cleansing, and He commands: love one another as I have loved you, to the point of death. Proceeding to institute the Eucharist, Jesus gives His Body and Blood before His Passion, the fruit of His cross outside time, teaching the apostles "Do this in remembrance of Me." It's a marital covenant: He gives Himself entirely; we respond in thanksgiving (Eucharistia's meaning), uniting daily to His suffering, death, and resurrection. Receiving glorified Jesus ensures our eternal rising with Him. We are not spectators but participants, called to humble service toward brothers and sisters. Amen.

USCCB John 13 – foot washing account – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/13
USCCB Luke 22 – Last Supper narrative – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22
USCCB 1 Corinthians 11 – Eucharist institution – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/11
CCC 1337 – washing feet symbolism – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1337.htm
CCC 1341 – new commandment mandatum – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1341.htm
CCC 1823 – love one another – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1823.htm
New Advent – Last Supper encyclopedia – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09018b.htm
USCCB – Lord's Supper Mass – https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/triduum/mass-of-the-lords-supper

00:00 - Introduction to Holy Thursday
00:43 - The Arrival of the Hour of Suffering
01:48 - The Betrayal of Judas
02:29 - Jesus Washing the Feet of the Apostles
04:50 - The New Commandment of Love
05:43 - The Institution of the Eucharist
07:17 - The Desire for Union with Christ
08:09 - Celebrating the Triduum and the Resurrection

Ave Maria!
Mass: Holy Thursday Lords Supper - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040226.cfm
1st: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Resp: Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
2nd: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gsp: John 13:1-15

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1775

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD7kC2OxszY