The Triduum Begins – The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (2026)

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14  
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 
John 13:1-15 
April 2, 2026 

Tonight we begin what we celebrate over three days, The Easter Triduum.  On this first night of the Triduum, we celebrate the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. 

To properly understand what we celebrate we need to take a step back in time to the Exodus when God set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt.  This is the Passover that is still celebrated by Jews today and is part of our heritage.  Our first reading tells us that God put the Passover at the head of the Jewish calendar.  This reading gives God’s instruction on how they are to celebrate the Passover.   

They were to sacrifice a lamb, specifically a year-old male that was “without blemish.”  It had to be without blemish because God deserves our best.  It is not a sacrifice to give God what you do not want yourself or the leftovers.  We need to give God our best as Jesus becomes the lamb without blemish who is sacrificed for our sins on Good Friday. 

They used some of the blood from the lamb to mark their doorposts so that God would pass over their homes as He took the first-born Egyptians. 

We join a new covenant through Baptism.  This covenant is made not with the blood of an animal.  Our new covenant with God is sealed with Jesus’ Blood. 

They marked their doorposts with the Blood of a lamb to identify them as Israelites.  We are marked with the Sign of the Cross in Baptism. 

God commanded them to celebrate the Passover as a “memorial feast…a perpetual institution.” 

Jesus celebrated the Passover as a faithful Jew and make something even more.  Using unleavened bread just like the Israelites used at the first Passover and makes it something more, The Eucharist. 

Paul describes how Jesus instructed him to celebrate the Eucharist.  It is the same way Jesus celebrated the Last Supper.  It is the same way that we celebrate Mass today.  Just as the Jews celebrate the Passover as a “memorial feast…a perpetual institution,” we celebrate the Eucharist according to Jesus’ instructions do this in remembrance of Him. 

Just as the Passover gave the Jews their identity, so does the Eucharist define us as Catholics.  It is from Paul’s words in the second reading that we know that when we celebrate Mass, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ that we come to know how the Eucharist defines who we are.  The Eucharist changes everything.  Do you let it change you?  Do you become what you receive? 

On this night when Jesus instituted the Eucharist as a sacrifice, as Catholics, we understand that He also instituted the ordained priesthood.  Since the Eucharist is a sacrifice, it requires a priest to offer the sacrifice.   

Jesus did not institute a priesthood that put the priests on pedestals.  Jesus calls all priests to service.  This is demonstrated in the washing of the feet.  That night, the disciples did not understand the washing of feet but we have come to know it as a sign of service.  Jesus came not to be served but to serve.  He calls those whose feet He washed that night to the same life of service. 

Please pray for priests like to answer God’s call in accord with his Will. 

Peace, 

 Fr. Jeff