Dimapur, April 13 (EMN): Catholics of Nagaland together with the rest of the world observed Maundy Thursday with the washing of the feet and adoration of the Holy Eucharist, at the Mary Help of Christian, Cathedral, Kohima on April 13, with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant.
Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General Diocese of Kohima, Fr. Sojan Puthankudy, Chancellor of Diocese, Fr. George Punnolil, Administrator of the Diocese of Kohima with other fathers concelebrated the with Bishop.
Bishop in his introduction said the celebration of Holy Thursday is to commemorate the two precious gifts left by Jesus to his church, the Holy Eucharist and priesthood and the two commandments, to love and to serve.
In his speech, Bishop referred to the first reading from the book of Exodus (12:1-8, 11-14) wherein the celebration of the Passover was narrated.
The Bishop said the feast of Holy Thursday is in remembrance of the institution of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. From this Sacrament, he said the bread of life, comes the inheritance of salvation and eternal life in the beatific vision of God in His Kingdom. He also mentioned that we are to receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in a worthy manner.
“To be pleasing to the eyes of God we must humble ourselves as Jesus humbled Himself. In our living faith in Christ, we must be prepared to love and serve others. Those who receive Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist cannot but serve in humility their brothers and sisters as Jesus did” he stated.
Bishop also said feet washing are a symbol of Jesus readiness to serve, serve as a servant and the service is not out of compulsion but out of love. He called upon the Christians to be strengthened and graced by the Eucharist and then to love and serve one another. By this, he said we make ourselves his true disciples and the world will know that we are his disciples.
After the homily, Bishop wrapped a towel around the waist, poured water and washed the feet of 12 people in commemoration of what Jesus did.
This was the first time that the Cathedral parish has the women for the washing of the feet in accordance with the change of rite suggested from Rome and practiced by Pope Francis.
Various petitions of prayers were also said for the people, state and country.
