Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 / 1 Cor 11:23-26 / John 13:1-15
The Sacred Paschal Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper.
So, it would be expected that the readings be focused on the institution of the Eucharist.
Well, the 1st reading talks about how the Passover came about.
The 2nd reading mentions about the institution of the Eucharist.
The gospel began with Jesus having the Passover meal with His disciples.
It was to be His Last Supper with His disciples.
In that Last Supper, Jesus changed everything and turned it into the institution of the Eucharist.
But in the gospel, there was no mention of the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Rather, the gospel mentioned that during supper, Jesus did something surprising.
He got up, took a basin and towel, and began to wash the feet of His disciples.
All attention was focused on the washing of the feet, which will be re-enacted later.
From the sacred and holy Eucharist, the attention went down to the lowly feet.
But that also makes us think about our feet.
We may not like to show our feet for some reason.
The feet are meant for the floor, and not raised up, unless it is an act of insult.
But the washing of the feet makes us think about the connection of the Eucharist and our feet.
The Eucharist is the love of God for us.
As we receive that love in the Eucharist, it has to go down all the way in service to the lowly, the poor and the needy.
We need not wash their feet, but we share with them God's love, so that they can get back on their feet and move on with hope.
When we understand that, then we understand God's love for us in the Eucharist, and we also understand what Jesus, our Master and Lord, has done for us.