Holy Thursday - 2012

 Taste and see how good the Lord is

come, let us adore!

(Psalm 34:9)

Holy Thursday Mass is one of my favorite Masses of the whole year, even though I was out in the gathering area by the front doors with two goofey little boys most of the time tonight.  I love it all...  the incense, the washing of the feet, the presentation of the chrism, decorating the altar, best of all - the Sacrifice and Sacrament of Christ, stripping the altar, and the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to prepare for the Good Friday.  Fone and Mario served and did a fantastic job.  I think that is one reason I'm at peace with my cRaZy goofey boys in the back, because I now know there are phases and someday they will be up on the altar serving our Lord.

After Mass, we came home to celebrate a special family meal, where all of the food that we ate symbolized some part of tonight's celebrations at Mass. Thanks to Alice and Jessica who are wonderful inspirations and share their ideas for bringing home what we celebrate in the Church.  This was our first year doing the Holy Thursday meal, and it was definitely a hit.  We our looking forward to our 2nd Good Friday dinner tomorrow!  Here are some pictures of our food items and what they symbolized....

**Costly Oil** 

(extra virgin olive oil -  we sprinkled Parmesan on the oil and dipped our "unleavened bread" in it)

 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.

(Mk. 14: 9)

 **Thirty Pieces of Silver**

(we used cheese flavored rice crackers)

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

(Matthew  25: 14-15)

**Unleavened Bread**

(we used skinny bread that we split apart)

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to Him, 'Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?'

(Mark 14: 12)

**Mount of Olives**

(black and green olives)

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

(Mark  14: 26)

**Cock Crows Twice**

(we used Chicken wraps with cream cheese, salsa and chopped chicken and our favorite Chicken Wild Rice Soup)

 And Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.'

(Mark  14: 30)

**Gethsemane Figs**

(Fig Newtons)

 And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.' 

(Mark  14: 32)


**Judas' Kiss**

(green Hershey's kisses - Holy Thursday is also known as Green Thursday, so we had to work the green in!)

And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, 'Master!' And he kissed him.
(Mark  14: 45)


**Clouds of Heaven**

(Redi-Whip to top off the Fig Newtons)

 And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'
(Mark  14: 62)

 
**Peter's Tears**

(Altoids mints - poor Pookey was seriously almost in tears after eating it!)

And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept.
(Mark  14: 72)

What a fun, meaningful meal it was.  It was extra special since we were able to celebrate with one of our favorite priests on his feast day, the Institution of the Priesthood.  We are certainly looking forward to tomorrow night's Good Friday dinner.  Here are a couple other pictures from the night....