The Blessed Mother on Holy Thursday

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11, 23-25)

Scripture doesn't say it, but there's no doubt that the Mother of God was present. She must have come to Jerusalem as always for Easter, and celebrated the Passover meal with the whole group following Jesus.

She kept all Jesus' words in her heart - how she must have received his farewell speech: “I have longed to celebrate this Passover meal with you." (Lk 22:15)

Was she not thinking then of the wedding feast at Cana (1)? Now his hour had come. Now He could give what previously He could only suggest in symbols.

The washing of feet: He was among them as one who serves (Jn 13). This is how she had seen him all her life. This was how she herself had lived and would still live. She understood the mystical meaning of the washing of the feet (Cf. Jn 13, 2-11): he who approaches the holy meal must be completely pure. But only His grace can give this purity.

Your communion, Mother! Wasn't it like returning to that elusive unity, when you fed Him with your flesh and blood? But now, it's He who feeds you. Do you not see in this hour the whole mystical body before you, the one that must grow through this holy meal?

Do you not receive him already now as Mother, just as tomorrow at the foot of the Cross he will be given to you? Do you not also see all the offenses that will be done to the Lord in these species, and do you not offer satisfaction for them?

O Mother, teach us to receive the Lord's Body as You received it.

Saint Edith Stein (1891-1942)

In The Science of the Cross