Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum, the last three days of Holy Week, in which our worship flows in one continuous liturgy, beginning with the Maundy Thursday service. “Time is suspended as we ponder and celebrate the great mysteries of our redemption.” The word “Maundy” is derived from Middle English, Old French and from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment,” the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” (“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you”), the statement we hear from Jesus to his disciples in tonight’s gospel reading.
The bulletin is here. The description of Holy Thursday with the Bible readings and commentaries is here. A photo gallery of the service can be found here. We had 21 in the service compared to 20 the year before.
The sermon is here. The sermon used a series of 5 boxes indicating symbols of Maundy Thursday of who we are and our mission.
1. "In this box, bread and wine. We get fed, so that we can be the body of Christ in the world—we can be God’s hands, God’s feet, God’s eyes, God’s love.
2. "And this box, the foot washing. This footwashing is a reminder for us that the hospitality and welcome that Jesus gave to us and that Jesus wants us to give, invites people not just into our homes or into our church, but into our hearts– just as they are, no matter who they are—that not only do we welcome them, but that we love them unconditionally and radically, as God loves us. When we do this for the world, the world gets a glimpse into our eternal home, God’s everlasting love.
3. "Remember, this box represents the Passover meal, the last supper that Jesus and the disciples shared.
4. "Every week when we gather here at church, we are making a conscious and committed decision to come together to worship and gain strength and courage for the journey. And we are also celebrating the great Passover of God when we share bread and wine and God’s sacrificial and radical love around the table. Sometimes we even say “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast.”
5."Even though we cannot go where Jesus is going, we get to be with him every time we gather with one another to share bread and wine, and God’s love for us, and our love for one another. And all of this goes into this big box. For Jesus and the disciples, it was Jerusalem, and beyond Jerusalem, the Roman Empire.
Maundy Thursday was both a celebration of those times with friends but also acknowledgment that things would end quickly. The disciples did not always understand. At the Last Supper Jesus would be a server and servant – of the bread and wine and also washing feet and encourage the others to do the same. This was the worst – washing feet caked with dirt and grime made worse by the sandles they word. He was acting as a lowly servant so that they would understand the necessity to serve.
By this action Jesus would show God’s love and they would show it others also. " 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. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."
The foot washing this year emphasized the above portion of the Gospel. Usually the priest washes the parishioners’ feet. This year Catherine washed Cookie’s feet and then she washed another parishioner. And so it went forward.
He provided them a new expanded commandment of love one another – "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." This would be through prayer, care and action. This love is the Agape love where we provide for the well being of others. Love is transformed into giving and receiving for all including the sinner and tax collector. It is not just between friends but includes enemies.
Maundy Thursday is known for the stripping of the altar which is part of the preparation for Good Friday. After the Last Supper, less than 24 hours remained for Jesus. Indeed the plotters had to execute him before Jewish passover began on Friday evening at sundown. Our altar was stripped with the repeated singing of "Stay with Me" representing Jesus praying in Gethsemane before he was arrested.
Events moved rapidly – prayer in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, arrest, mock trial, painful beating, the trudge to Golgotha and execution. As His life was stripped from Him, so we strip our altar of the signs of life to symbolize His purposeful, redemptive suffering and death for us.
The candles are extinguished and removed. Candles represent the "Light of the World" Jesus said; "I Am the light of the World" in recognition of the darkness following the death of Jesus on the cross, the candles are removed from our presence.
We did have a period of silent prayer at the end with 2 Taize chants in remembrance of Jesus time of prayer on the Mount of Olives and in solidarity with all who seek strength in time of prayer. The music was provided by Karen Richardson on guitar and Catherine on piano.