Early in my ministry, I was assigned to teach English grammar to high school students. It was not my finest hour. However, the experience left me with one clear insight that returns to me each Holy Thursday as I reflect on the Scriptures describing the events of that sacred night.
It was an important and intimate gathering, filled with deeply meaningful actions and words that Jesus shared with his closest disciples. According to John’s Gospel, which we read tonight, and the accounts of the Last Supper in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, Jesus purposely uses the imperative mood of the verb only twice. You may recall from your own high school grammar class that the imperative mood is used to issue a command.
The two commands Jesus gave his disciples were:
• “As I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:15)
• “Do this in memory of me.” (Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:18–20)
It appears that during this final, intimate supper with those closest to him—those he would entrust with continuing his mission—Jesus commanded them to do two things: to serve others (symbolized by the washing of feet) and to celebrate what was first called “the breaking of the bread,” and what we now know as the Eucharist.
For Jesus, these two actions should clearly mark the lives of his disciples. They are the two imperatives his followers recall whenever they remember that night and that supper.
It is important that we, as disciples of Jesus continuing the ministry begun by those at table with him that night, remember his command. Our faithful and loving service to others and our regular celebration of the Eucharist are how we both remember and live out what he asked of us. Even the grammatical structure Jesus used that night makes it imperative that we do so.
