HOLY THURSDAY COMMENTARY

Commentator: Semi Okorie Elijah Ogechukwu CCE (aka- Elijahjesu CCE, Anyi ga na enwe
Joy, or Semi furu efu).

Dear brothers, sisters and friends of God, praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ both now and
forever. Amen. Na atufughi oge, n’ihi na o na-abu ekwe kuo ama agbaa. Oge nri ehihie ruo, onye
usa apuo oriri. O bu nani uzo di mma ka ana eje ugboro abuo. Maka ndi uche ha echetaghi, ndi biara
na ndi uzo biara, tata bu TOOZIDEEH di aso.
Dear friends, we have gathered again this evening for this year's celebration of one of the most
important nights in the history of our salvation. Ma tupu mu amalite, ka m jukene unu; ebe obu
na onye ajuju anaghi efu uzo. O bu gini tinyere ugiri mmanu? O bu gini mere anyi nile ji gbakoo ebe
a tata?O bu eziokwu na ngwugwu a ga atupe atupe odighi mma itu ya mbo; maka na eriri ejiri kee
ngwugwu toghee, ngwugwu na onwe ya atoghee. Ma ebe o bu na onye na anoghi ebe eliri ozu n’esi
n’ukwu abo ya; onye a maghi mmadu na-akpo ya onye a. Ebe o bukwazi na ánà eburu-godu uzo hu
ihu nwata tupu abaa ya aha m’obu nara ya ihe oji na aka. O ga adi mma igwazi unu ya bu ihe n’uju
maka mgbada chi umu anaghi agba oso eleghi anya n’azu. O buru na atughi aro gaa nta, egbuo anu
n’enweghi aha.

Every single Mass, we hear the words "on the night he was betrayed." That night is today, the Holy Thursday,
and as I have said, it is one of the most important nights in all of history. Why is it important and holy? It is
important to us and Holy because it was on a day like today thousands of years ago that our Master left for us
the most precious gift you can think about. It is Holy because from today, we have entered into the deepest
part of the celebration which makes us Holy. Today (Holy Thursday) is the day in which we, Catholics
commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: 1.The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, 2. the
priesthood. 3. The New Commandment of Love. Holy Thursday is sometimes called Maundy Thursday
because it was on this day that Christ gave us the new commandment--to love one another as he loves us. The
word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word mandatum, which is translated to English as, "mandate."This
word is used in the Latin text for John 13:34:"Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."
You know we cannot do without Latin. But don't worry let me tell you what it means. The above passage
reads thus in English: "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you."

Holy Thursday is the anniversary of the Lord’s Supper when Jesus ate the Passover meal with His
apostles. It was then that He instituted the Eucharist, which is Sacrament, Sacrifice and Memorial.
He commanded His apostles to repeat this action as a Memorial to Him. And that is why on a day
like this, we wish priests happy Feast day because it is today's celebration that gives meaning to their
priesthood. It was also on this day (Holy Thursday), that Christ washed the apostles' feet and gave
us an example and command of brotherly love. Therefore, unselfish love is the theme of this day. Let
this theme be at the back of our mind as we celebrate this mystery. Today's celebration should
contain works of mercy, care and concern in response to Christ’s words, “I give you a new
commandment: love one another”. (John 13:34) One feature of this Mass is the re‐enactment of the
Gospel narrative of the washing of the feet which we will hear in today's gospel reading (Jn.15:1-13).
We are dramatically reminded that the Christian life means humble service, and so, The Easter
Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Today, we will sing "Gloria" which for
weeks now, have been on holidays. Accompanied with the ringing of the bell. And after today, no
more ringing of the bell or singing the "Gloria" till Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday night).

What more fitting occasion is there than this evening to participate in the liturgy and
receive the Sacrament given by Our Lord. Holy Communion will be received from
hosts freshly consecrated at this Mass. After Communion, the remaining hosts will be
transferred to the Altar of Repose. In the spirit of Holy Week, the Repository is
decorated very simply. A period of Adoration continues throughout the evening, but
ends no later than Midnight.The altar of sacrifice is stripped in silence and the crucifix
covered or removed from the sanctuary. Masses will not be offered again after this
Mass until the Easter Vigil Service. We depart strengthened in our belief that, “When
we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you
come in glory.” Dear friends, ndi Igbo na ekwu si: " Onye buru chi ya uzo, ogbagbuo onwe
ya n’oso." For this, I tell you to relax as I will be updating you on the activities as we
proceed. Maka o na abu aka kpara ngaji, afo na onu ana eme, amuma see atuba anya egbe igwe.
But before then, I beg us to stay put and participate actively in today's celebration.
Please do not distract or let anybody or thing to distract you. Ebe obu n’ezuola ka aha-eri
udele, a gam atotuzi ngi-ga ngwa ngwa, maka na onye onye-ara nyere ala, na ako ya ihe osiso, ka
oga-abu isi di ya mma o naba ala ya, echeregodu ka onye koro ihe were ihe ala miputara; m obughi
out a ala ahu ala a ya n’iyi.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Now, let us sit well and listen to the readings because ndi kwuru si na nka di na nti.
THE FIRST READING IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS (12:1-8, 11-14):
This reading is a description of the Jewish Passover Meal and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. It is
a sacramental re-enactment of the meal taken by the Israelites before their flight across the Red Sea
from Egypt. A flight from slavery to freedom and liberation. This, once a year commemoration,
could be called the “Eucharist” of the Jews. It is a sacred remembering of God’s great act to liberate
them from slavery and the beginning of their long journey to the Promised world. O bu nnani ndi
nwere imi na-akpo utaba. Nnani ndi ukwu di, n’acho (size) akpukpukwu g’aba ha n’ahia
akpukpukwu. K’anyi chetakwa n’obu naani ndi nwere eze n’ata oka kporo nku. Onye nna ya zigara
ohi n’eji ukwu agbawa uzo.

THE SECOND READING IS TAKEN FROM THE LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE
CORINTHIANS (11: 23-26)
The reading recalls that after Our Lord celebrated the ancient Passover, He established a new
covenant in His blood, a Sacrifice, Sacrament and Memorial with the new People of God. St. Paul
explains to the people of God in Corinth the significance of partaking in the body and blood of Christ
– a proclamation of the death of the Lord, a new liberation, not just from physical slavery, but from
every kind of slavery, especially that of sin and evil. There is now a new Pasch and a new Passover.
There is a new Lamb, the Lamb of God. There is new unleavened bread, the Bread that is the Body
of the Risen Lord. The blood of the lamb is now replaced with the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus, who
takes away the sin of the world. I call on us to listen very well to the reading makana eziokwu a na
esi na mmiri eji akwo aka ama ka nri aga eri ha. Ejim na aka n’unu mara na a na esi na ntutu ukwa
ama onye na abu ubu nri. Okpa ngà ngà biko kpaa ya n’ime Chineke maka nzoputa nke
mmadu.Chukwu anaghi echezo onye okere, obioma Chukwu enweghi ube.Oriri aburughi onu ihe
nkafie. Bia rie abughi bia ruo. O na abu mmanu baa n’afo, uka ebido bawa na nti. Maka na onye
aguu na-agu anaghi ege akuko.

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN (13: 1-15)

Umunnem, nnekwu okuku siri n’obughi ihere maka ihe oke okpa n’eme ya n’ihu oha na eze n’ewute
ya, kama o bu okpo nile o na aku ya n’isi n’ihu oha.N’eziokwu onye obi abuo anaghi egbunwu agu.
O bu naani onye ndidi na onye obi umeala n’eri azu ukpoo. Nkita ji obi umeala eso onye afo toro
n’enweta ihe oriri.
In this reading, St John Pictures how Jesus at the Last Supper revealed himself in a special way
through the washing of his disciples’ feet, a unique expression of Christ like leadership and profound
brotherly love. Despite their ignorance, unbelief, disobedience, and eventual apostasy, Jesus
persevered in His love for His disciples. Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to
them the value of spiritual washing, the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin and to show
them that a leader must lead by example makana ndi kwurusi, Onye butuo onwe ya ala Chukwu
ebulie ya elu.

BEFORE THE HOMILY

Umunnem na umunnam, biko nu, okwa unu mara n’ijiji n’enweghi onye ndumodu n’eso ozu ala
n’iyi. Ekwuoro nti ma onughi ebere isi nti esowe ya. Nsiko siri na ihe ya jiri nwee ihu abuo bu na chi
ya na ndi ogo ya nwere ike irio ya oru otu oge. Ya bu, amaaram na nti abuo anyi nwere abughi ihe eji
acho mma.
Chetakwanu na anaghi anapu Dike mma oji n’aka, kama ihe a na agwa ya bu ya egbula ochu. O na
adi mma ana ako maka nkapi ka a kpoo ya onu mpi mpi maka o mee chee n’obu oke k’ana ako maka
ya. Onye n’egosi nwata awo n’ikpo okwute ya biko tuoro ya aka iji gosi ya nke bu awo maka na odi
mma anwuta nkita akpiri si gosi ya maka adighi amá ama onitsha gwara obosi.
Ugbua Ukochukwu ga agwa anyi okwuchukwu, n’ihi na o na adi mma a tuo ilu si kowaa ya. Ka o na
eme nke a, anyi ana ege nti maka na nwanyi bu ibe ya uzo sibe nri n’ebukwa ha uzo enwe nkpo nkpo
ite.

THE WASHING OF FEET

 Ndi b’anyi agha akara-aka anaghi eri nwa ngwuro. Chetakwanu n’uka akpara-akpa n’eji isi
ekwe ya. N’ihi nke a kporokpoto ga-agbazi n’ihu enyi, maka na o bu okuko isi kara-aka na eje ogu
oturukpokpo.
Ihe oge ya ruru abughi usa. Onye siri nwata jide nkapi g’ekunyekwa ya mmiri o ga eji kwuo aka. Ihe
oma ohu si n’aka ndi umuazu wee ruo anyi aka bu ihe ukochukwu anyi g’egosiputa kitaa; maka na
agadi nwanyi anaghi aka nka n’egwu o mara agba.

The washing of the feet of chosen men represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to
be served, but to serve." In commemoration of the great humility and charity of Our Lord toward His
Apostles, those who have been chosen are led to seats already prepared in a suitable place. The priest
(removing his chasuble) washes the feet of twelve men who represent the twelve Apostles. While an
appropriate hymn/chant is used for accompaniment. As we recall that Our Lord washed the feet of
His Apostles, we are reminded that charity is the hallmark by which all men are to recognize His
disciples: “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.”
Umu Chineke ibem, ejighi oku ekiri ehi. Nwata gwa gi na idi isi ka ewu, mara na nna ya gburu ewu.
Eziokwu, onye bulie onwe ya elu, e budaa ya, ma onye budara onwe ya ebulie ya elu.
Without wasting time, I call on our brothers for the washing of feet.
After calling the names:
As the washing of the feet is going on, I call on the choir to give us solemn and adequate songs for
the ritual. As the choir sings, I plead with all of us to sing along with them makana Igbo kwurusi na
igwe bu ike. So, make sure you will not be just a spectator. Ma imaghi ekwe kwebe n’isi maka aturu
siri n’eburu egwu bata n’ama nna ya, ya amaghi agbaa ya awulibe elu; ma ya amaghi awuli elu, ya
ekwebe n’isi. Chetenu na nnunnu n’ekwe n’isi nwere ihe n’akuru egwu.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
After the washing of feet, the priest (washes and dries his hands and puts on his chasuble and returns
to his presidential seat.) Where he now direst the universal prayer on this holy night in which we
dine together as the body of Christ. We will commit ourselves to the love and service of one another,
as we pray for the Church and all humankind.
OFFERTORY:
Now is time for offertory. 'OFFERING TIME!' Bikonu, ka anyi marakwanu, onye ji azu ria ugwu, ya
jirikwa azu ridata, o di ndu ya kele chi ya. O na abu aka nri kwuo aka ekpe, aka ekpe akwuo aka nri.
Let us now deep our hands and bring out the best. 'DEEPER LIFE'. Remember there is blessings in
giving.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Dear friends, ona abu anwu tibe, ndi ihe diiri mma apuba oriri. Chi anaghi efocha ghara ututu.
Now is the holy moment. Let us in obedience to Christ says, "do this in memory of me', join the
priest in this holy moment of the Church. Remember active participation is the watch word.

COMMUNION:
Ndi b’anyi, oriri adanuo! Oriri adanuo!! Nri nke ndi muo oma ka chukwu nyere mmadu nkiti.
Chetakwanu n’obu so naani nwata kwuochara aka n’eso ogaranya aracha piom; naani anu oke oso
n’apu oriri ehihie; tinyekwara n’obu anu eze ya di nko n’atu onu n’ala okwute. Ya bu, obu naani ndi
kwadobere onwe ha nke oma g’abia nara ya bu oriri nso. The Mass is for everybody but the Holy
Communion is only for communicants who are in state of grace.

AFTER COMMUNION:
N/B: After distribution of communion, a ciborium with host for communion on the following day is
left on the altar, the chif celebrant standing at the chair says the post communion prayer.

TRANSFER OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT TO THE ALTAR OF REPOSE

After the post communion prayer: Ndi Oma n’ege nti, O na abu anyanwu putaba O di ka ubochi buru
ututu ututu.
A na-ata O na ato uto O dika ihe ana ata agwula agwu. Okuko jiri si na nnaba ya nabara abughi na
afo ejula ya kama n’obu ka ya kwanyere anyasi ugwu diiri ya, maka na eriwe ihe ka O siri ato eriwaa
afo.
K’Osina di, Dike mee ihe O ji aza Dike, ihu adi ya n’uzo ula. Ike gwuru alawa oru abughi na oru
agwula. Mmanwu nwaa oko ya O laa. Erichaa nri ekpuchie Oku.
Ihe m n’ekwu bu na emume anyi n’abiazi na njedebe. Ma chetakwanu na anyi ga eche nche o
bunagodu naani otu awa.
Anyi a gaghi ejicha iru uju wee chee nche anyi maka na nku gwuru n’ulo abughi n’osisi agwula
n’ohia. Na chi jiri abughi na ubochi agwula. Olile anya ka di.

Now, we shall perform the rite of transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. Our
Eucharistic King will be carried in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose, where He will be
adored for the rest of the night. The priest will incense the blessed sacrament 3 times while kneeling
and then, having put on the humeral (white)veil, he rises, takes the Ciborium and covers it proper
with the veil. Thus, the transfer of the most Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose begins with a
procession in this sequence. The Cross bearer between the Acolytes, followed by the incense bolt
bearer and the Thurifer with a smoking Thurible, the seminarians and Father with the Blessed
Sacrament. Lastly, the choir and others. Meanwhile the Pange Lingua is sung, excluding the last two
stanzas.
When the procession reaches the altar of repose; where the lord will be adored for the rest of
the night, the priest once again will put incense in the thurible and kneeling, incenses the Blessed
Sacrament while the choir intones Tantum Ergo Sacamentum. After a period of adoration, the priest
and other ministers will genuflect and return to the sacristy and the main altar will be stripped in
remembrance of our Divine Savior being stripped of His garments, mocked and spit upon by the
cruel soldiers.
Finally, as l have said before, we are strongly encouraged to spend a suitable period of time this
special night in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament that will be solemnly reserved for the day of
the Lord's passion has begun.

CLOSURE:
Dear friends, ’ezie, mmuo kwere ekwe ma na anu ahu esighi ike. Jeso gwara umuazu ya banyere
afufu nke o ga ata, mana okweghi ha nghota maka na ihe okenye mmadu noturu ala wee hu, osogodu
nwata rigoro elu osisi órjì ogaghi ahu ya. Jeso no na uru nke obi maka njo ndi nke ya. O gwakwara
ha ka ha soro ya muru anya ma chee nche O burugodu otu awa (hr) mana ura juputara ha na anya
maka na o na abu eburu ozu nwa mgbeke o dika o bu ukwu nku k’ebu.
N’eziokwu nwata akwo n’azu amaghi n’ije di anya. Mana ebe obu na otee aka oji diba njo odiba
mma; ebe obu na onye ndidi n’eri azu ukpoo. O bu naani mkpuru osisi dara n’ala rekwaa ure g’epu
ma mita mkpuru.
Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe. Ya bu umunnem na umunnam o buru n’ihuru Jeso n’anya gezia nti k’imara
ka aga esi wee chee ya bu nche.

For this, this is the way procedure this night's watch will take place; Call the list: