During Holy Thursday, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led the Mass of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing the importance of service and love. He highlighted Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet as an example of humility. The ceremony called for Catholics to reject the pursuit of economic gain and embrace the values exemplified by Christ. The Vatican's Holy Thursday ceremony is a significant event in the Catholic Church, urging believers to serve others.
14 days ago
Core Message of Holy Thursday
The Holy Thursday Mass at the Vatican, led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, centered on the call to reject a world driven by profit and power, and instead embrace the "power of service" exemplified by Jesus Christ 1 2. The liturgy emphasized humility, love, and the importance of becoming "Eucharistic people" 4.
Cardinal Gambetti's Homily
Cardinal Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, delivered a homily reflecting on Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet 1 2. He drew parallels between the Jewish Passover and the Last Supper, highlighting that both occurred amidst hardship and injustice 1 4. He lamented that contemporary society mirrors ancient patterns of betrayal, prioritizing cost-benefit relationships and lacking compassion 1 2.
The Washing of Feet Ritual
A central part of the Holy Thursday Mass was the traditional washing of feet ceremony 1 2. Cardinal Gambetti knelt and washed the feet of laypeople who work in or frequent St. Peter's Basilica, symbolizing Jesus' humility and service to others 1 2. This act underscored the call to imitate Christ's radical love and service, even towards those who might betray us 1.
The Eucharist and Christian Identity
The Mass in Coena Domini opened the Triduum, with Cardinal Gambetti inviting the faithful to reflect on the Eucharist 1 4. He called on the Church to become "Eucharistic people," broken and shared like Christ, emphasizing presence over perfection 4. The liturgy concluded with a procession accompanying the Blessed Sacrament to a chapel for adoration, accompanied by the historic Cappella Giulia choir 1 2.
What is the Church's teaching on service and economic justice?
Catholic Social Teaching on Service and Economic Justice
Catholic social teaching emphasizes the dignity of the human person and the importance of the common good . The economy should serve people, not the other way around, respecting the dignity of work and protecting the rights of workers . This includes just wages, decent working conditions, and the right to organize and bargain collectively . The Church also advocates for economic freedom and private property, but with the understanding that these rights have a social function and must be exercised with responsibility towards the common good .
Key Principles
- Dignity of the Human Person: Every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity that must be respected in all economic and social systems .
- The Common Good: The sum total of social conditions that allow people, as individuals or groups, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily .
- Subsidiarity: Matters should be handled by the smallest, lowest, or least centralized competent authority .
- Solidarity: We are all responsible for each other, and must promote justice and the "option for the poor" .
- Preferential Option for the Poor: The needs of the poor and vulnerable should be given priority in our social and economic considerations . This is not optional but is implied by faith in Jesus Christ .
Analysis of the News Article
The news article highlights Cardinal Gambetti's emphasis on rejecting a world driven by profit and power, and instead embracing service, humility, and love, which aligns strongly with Catholic social teaching . His homily, reflecting on Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet, underscores the call to imitate Christ's radical love and service, even towards those who might betray us . This act symbolizes the Church's preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, as it prioritizes the needs of those who are often marginalized or overlooked .
Connecting to Catholic Social Teaching
- Rejection of Profit-Driven Systems: Cardinal Gambetti's call to reject a world driven by profit echoes the Church's critique of economic systems that prioritize profit over the dignity of the human person and the common good .
- The Washing of Feet as Service: The washing of feet symbolizes the Church's call to service, particularly to the poor and marginalized, reflecting the preferential option for the poor .
- Eucharistic People: The call to become "Eucharistic people" emphasizes presence over perfection, aligning with the Church's teaching that all people, regardless of their economic or social status, are worthy of love and respect .
Summary
The Church's teaching on service and economic justice calls for a society where the economy serves people, not the other way around, and where the dignity of every human person is respected . The news article, particularly Cardinal Gambetti's homily and the washing of feet ritual, exemplifies these principles by emphasizing service, humility, and the preferential option for the poor . By rejecting a profit-driven world and embracing the "power of service," the Church seeks to build a more just and compassionate society where all people can flourish .