Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday (April 17)

(Maundy is derived from a Latin word meaning Commandment)

      This day, Maundy Thursday, is the day before Jesus’ Passion and Crucifixion.  Also for Jesus and His disciples that year, it is the eve of Passover (according the Synoptic Gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke ) when the Jews celebrate the Passover Seder, the ritual meal commemorating the eve of the Exodus when death (the tenth plague) comes to Egypt but passes over (Passover) the homes of the Hebrews.  Death passes over the Hebrews because they are marked by the “blood of the lamb” on the doorpost of their homes. 

      It is on this night that Jesus gathers with His disciples in an upper room in the ancient city of Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.  Jesus commands His disciples (and us) to do two things.  First, He commands that we love others the way He loves us (John 13:34).  Jesus demonstrates this love by washing His disciple’s feet, and tells us to do likewise.  Jesus also commands that His disciples break bread with their fellow disciples in remembrance of Him.  Jesus goes on to infuse new meaning into the Passover meal by offering Himself as the Passover Lamb who is sacrificed for the sin of the world. Passover becomes for us not only what it has always been, a remembrance of the saving acts of God, but also a memorial and an assurance of Jesus’ “Real Presence” with us as he says that the Bread is His Body broken for us and the Wine is Blood shed for us. 

      At the Maundy Thursday service here at Holy Trinity (7:00 pm), we are obedient to both of these commands: we wash one another’s feet and we participate in the wonderful mystery we know as the Lord’s Supper.  Come join us in the ancient liturgy rich in symbolism, meaning and holy significance.