Father Randy Koenigsknecht
Watch the Homily
Listen to the Homily
A powerful Holy Thursday reflection on the meaning of the priesthood, the Eucharist, and Christ’s enduring love for His people. Discover how Jesus continues to minister through the sacraments and why the priesthood remains essential in the life of the Church today.
Read the Homily
Tonight, unlike any other night, the Church gives very specific directives for the topic of the homily. The Church directs her priests to preach on the mysteries commemorated at this Mass: the call to fraternal charity, the institution of the Eucharist, and the institution of the priesthood.
As this is my first year as a priest, I ask for your patience as I focus particularly on the gift of the priesthood—why Christ gave it to us.
One of the most important lines for understanding Holy Thursday, especially the priesthood, comes at the beginning of today’s Gospel: “He loved his own in the world, and he loved them to the end.”
Who are “his own”?
Not just the disciples present that night—but all who belong to Him: past, present, and future.
That means you and me.
Jesus loves us to the end, and He wants us to experience that love just as His disciples did. This is why He gave us the priesthood.
St. John Vianney said, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” Through the priest, Christ’s love continues to be made present to His people—to reach us, speak to us, and touch us.
While all are called to imitate Christ, priests are called to a particular and deeper imitation—living in intentional union with Him so that Christ may continue His mission through them.
This is especially clear in the sacraments.
In Confession, for example, you encounter Jesus directly. Through the voice of the priest, you hear Christ say: “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.”
Priests are instruments through whom Jesus continues His ministry—not only in the sacraments but in lives of service, laying themselves down for others just as Christ did.
That is why Jesus calls men to the priesthood—not to wield authority, but to serve—to wash the feet of His people, just as He did for His disciples.
The heart of the priesthood is the Eucharist.
You might wonder why, in tonight’s Gospel, we hear about the washing of the feet instead of the institution of the Eucharist.
The answer is simple: we don’t just hear about the Eucharist—we experience it.
In the Mass, Christ becomes present again. Through the priest, Jesus speaks the same words spoken at the Last Supper:
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
“Take and drink; this is my blood.”
The sacrifice of Christ is made present on the altar, and we are invited not just to remember it—but to live it.
That is the heart of the priesthood: that Jesus continues to minister to and love His people.
As we enter into the Triduum, we are not simply recalling past events—we are walking with Christ here and now.
To live this mystery more fully, I ask two things:
First, pray for your priests.
We are called to imitate Christ, but we are not perfect. We need your prayers as we strive to grow in holiness and serve you faithfully.
Second, devote yourselves to the sacraments and to service.
Follow Christ’s example. Be filled with His grace and give yourselves generously to others.
In doing so, we live out the mystery of Holy Thursday—not just in remembrance, but in reality.