Maundy Thursday
4/13
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are
right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
- John 13:1-5, 12-15
During our Holy Week sojourn, we discover something new each day. Today it is through the action of Jesus of Nazareth with his friends and disciples at their last supper together. In the Christian tradition, this day is called Maundy Thursday, with the Maundy being the commandments that Jesus left with his followers. Maundy itself comes from the Latin
mandatum; we get the English “mandate” from it directly, and so it is, a mandated command or commandment. In the case of Maundy Thursday, it is clear in the command to do some things… “Do this!” mandates Jesus.
The actions requested and required are to break bread and bless the cup in remembrance of Jesus, “Do this!”, to “love one another as I have loved you”; “Do this!”, and to act as a servant just as Jesus had in washing his disciples feet, “Do this!” In just one evening, there is a whole portrait and portrayal of the pathway of faith… Remember, love, serve… Do this!”
These are our mandates and actions as people who walk the pathway of faith. They are quite
different from the mandates which we meet so often in the world around us, “Forget it, Get what you can, Stay on top!” But Jesus commands give life rather than suppress or take it away.
We are invited to discover the power and hope of life and faith through these commandments. Jesus himself walks the walk instead of just talking the talk. He remembers, he loves, he serves, and he invites us to discover whole and hopeful life doing the same.
What helps you to remember Jesus in a way that joins you more closely to him? How do you make real the call to love and to serve others? Is there a new step you can take to walk the walk rather than simply talking the talk?
- The Rev’d Dr. Jim
Lemler
Rector