Holy Thursday

At the heart of Christian faith is Christ’s unique sacrifice: the Paschal sacrifice that brings definitive redemption and restores us to communion with God. Jesus freely offered his life in love and obedience to the Father, fulfilling the mission of the suffering Servant, atoning for our sins, and making many righteous. His sacrifice is the source of eternal salvation, for he died for all and loved us “to the end.” As we reflect together, we can remember that salvation begins with God’s loving initiative, revealed in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Jesus also calls his disciples to take up their cross and follow him, inviting them to share, in the way known to God, in the mystery of his Paschal sacrifice.

In the Church, sacred ministers and lay faithful both serve the Church’s saving mission. Christ sends the apostles and their successors in his mission; the Pope, successor of St. Peter, serves as head of the college of bishops and Pastor of the universal Church, while bishops are visible sources and foundations of unity in their particular Churches. With priests and deacons, bishops teach the faith, celebrate divine worship—especially the Eucharist—and guide God’s people as pastors. Laypeople are called to bring the vigor of their Christian spirit into the world, living their Baptism and Confirmation in personal, family, social, and ecclesial life. They witness to Christ in every circumstance and, through self-denial and holiness, work to uproot the rule of sin in themselves and in the world. Some faithful also consecrate themselves to God through the evangelical counsels, serving God and the good of the whole Church.