We are linked to each other by our service to Jesus

Bishop Mulvey kisses foot of deacon candidate Armando Leal after having washed it on Holy Thursday, March 28, the start of the Triduum that culminated with Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Assisting the bishop are Deacons Michael Mantz (left) and Jesse Hinojosa. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

Jesus’ last night on earth taught us a new spirit, a new covenant of sacrifice for each other, Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey said in his Holy Thursday Homily on March 28 at the Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Holy Thursday opened the Paschal Triduum, which was followed by Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Saturday.

Bishop Mulvey said, “We live in a society where you can buy yourself a place in the front of the line. Who has more goes first.” He said, however, that as Christians we must reject that mentality.

Referencing Pope Francis homily at his Chrism Mass, Bishop Mulvey said, that “our misery, our discouragement is due to the fact that we don’t want to give, we want to live in the privileged class.”

But, said Bishop Mulvey, we cannot divorce the washing of the feet, an example of serving others, from the Eucharist, Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us. “Jesus asks us to make the same sacrifice He made for us,” the bishop said.

In coming to Mass, to the Eucharist, the faithful come to be oriented to Christ, to go and serve, to wash feet; to serve everyone, as Christ served everyone.

After the homily, Bishop Mulvey gave up his cathedra–his chair at the altar–to the vicar general, two religious sisters, a deacon, the lector, a member of the choir and a number of people from the congregation and washed and kissed their feet.

Bishop Mulvey transfers Holy Eucharist to adoration chapel at the end of Mass. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Mulvey processed around the cathedral and transferred the Holy Eucharist from the altar to the side chapel. After which, the altar was stripped and a night watch was initiated at the adoration chapel.