Chapel of Repose

1 April [Holy Thursday Jn 13:1-5 Our Lord’s Words of Farewell (Maundy) Holy Thursday. The usual dismiss, Ite Missa est, Go Forth, of the Mass, is different on Holy Thursday, rather, it is an invitation to the Chapel of Repose of the Blessed Sacrament. There is time to think more about the words we heard in the Gospel. To grasp the slightest glimpse of Jesus words, or possibly a little prompt from the Holy Spirit, suggests changing to order of the verses, Joh 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, Joh 13:4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Joh 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The measure of Jesus’ words, on the “Washing of the Feet”, explodes the significance of our everyday life. Retrospectively the utmost Passion of Christ is at one with the continuity of his constant proofs of love. Comment (Barnes) John 13:1 - The feast of the Passover - See the notes at Mat_26:2, Mat_26:17. His hour was come - The hour appointed in the purpose of God for him to die, Joh_12:27. Having loved his own - Having given to them decisive and constant proofs of his love. This was done by his calling them to follow him; by patiently teaching them; by bearing with their errors and weaknesses; and by making them the heralds of his truth and the heirs of eternal life. He loved them unto the end - That is, he continued the proofs of his love until he was taken away from them by death. Instances of that love John proceeds immediately to record in his washing their feet and in the institution of the Lord’s Supper. We may remark that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change; he always loves the same traits of character; nor does he withdraw his love from the soul. If his people walk in darkness and wander from him, the fault is theirs, not his. His is the character of a friend that never leaves or forsakes us; a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Psa_37:28; “the Lord ...forsaketh not his saints.” Isa_49:14-17; Pro_18:24. + + +