Thought for Today
John 13:1 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. 2 . . . And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 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.
“Maundy Thursday, also referred to as Holy Thursday, or Thursday of the Lord's Supper, among other names, is a Christian feast during Holy Week that marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, and commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels.” (en.wikipedia.org)
Today is Maundy Thursday. I don’t know whether or not it is appropriate to wish everyone ‘Happy Maundy Thursday.’ Maybe ‘Prayerful Maundy Thursday’ better captures the significance of the events and the importance of them for us today.
Many Christian churches will have some form of Maundy Thursday service today. Some will incorporate foot washing as part of their commemoration. Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Reformed or non-Denominational, Christians throughout Christendom will observe Maundy Thursday.
Our own congregation traditionally remembers through a Tenebrae service. It begins with a Meditation, “A solemn observance of the Lord’s Supper known as ‘Tenebrae’ was first celebrated in the fourth century. The word ‘Tenebrae’ means ‘darkness.’ In this service, eight candles are gradually extinguished, symbolizing the flight and denial of the disciples and friends of Jesus after the crucifixion. A ninth candle, symbolizing Christ, remains lighted throughout the service; the light of Christ can never be extinguished. In that light we find forgiveness and fellowship in communion with our Lord.”
A part of our service includes communion. This year our congregation will celebrate communion on Maundy Thursday and again on Easter Morning. Since the celebration of the Eucharist is one of my favorite parts of worship, and since I was raised in a faith tradition which celebrated it in every service, I will find this Holy Week especially meaningful.
But, this morning, I cannot help but think about how different Maundy Thursday was 2000+ years ago. Think for a minute about the Last Supper. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell about Jesus’ sending two disciples, "Luke 19:30 Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.” Further, they were instructed, “31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" Obviously, some advanced preparations had been made for transportation and event space. But, none of the gospels offers us any details.
Today, were anyone planning a dinner party this week, planning and preparations would have begun long ago. Especially if the party was to be held in a venue other than one’s home. During any week of the year, such planning is detailed, rigorous and complex. This week, or any holiday week, event venues are booked far in advance and prices for the space approach predatory levels.
Can you imagine any dinner party for any occasion or reason having a menu limited to bread and wine? It seems obligatory today to have hors d’oeuvres or canapes served with cocktails as an introduction course. The number of following courses and their composition can vary widely . . . but only bread and wine? What is your family having as their Easter dinner Sunday? Ham, lamb or some favorite meat? Will there be side courses, vegetables, etc.? And, of course, especially in some families, there will be a special dessert.
Yet, the most probable outcome of our or your Easter dinner will be some recourse to dieting next week. The outcome of Jesus’ simple Last Supper and of Jesus’ demonstration of the meaning of “Matthew 20:26 . . . but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,” still echoes down through history until today.
Stay safe, be aware of Maundy Thursday, trust God,
Pastor Ray