Holy Thursday at the Cathedral: A Gathering of Priests and a Call to the Table of the Lord

In his homily, Archbishop Borys Gudziak reminded the clergy and faithful that this is also the day of the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood—gifts that are at the heart of Christian life. He reflected on the deep paradox of Holy Thursday: “This day is a day of sharp contrast, of a clash – it is a day of celebration, of gratitude, eucharistia”.

Yet, the Archbishop acknowledged the pain woven into this holy night. “We have just listened to the contrast and the clash with the celebration. This is a day of a radical misunderstanding, timidity in spirit, betrayal, cowardice. This clash turns in our hearts, and it can be overcome only by the grace of the Lord.”

He spoke about the human difficulty in fully accepting the love of God: “We know it, we profess it but at the same time we are shivering quick. That quality of a human nature after the fall that pulls in. Adam’s sin is a grab that rejects the gift.”

The Archbishop described the Last Supper not just as a theological moment, but as a deeply human and intimate gathering: “The intimacy of this mystical supper – it is a sacramental institution of Eucharist and priesthood – but also it’s the closeness. Not the document with truths and rules but real sharing of bread and wine.”

He closed with an invitation full of hope: “Today is an invitation to be at this table – you don’t have to be rich, no special ticket required, you do not have to stand in line, everybody is invited to the circle of the Lord, to His intimacy, to His nourishment.”