Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is the Thursday of Holy Week. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command.” It stems from Christ’s words in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you.” This is the command or mandate to “love one another as I have loved you.” A lot of tradition is attributed to this day. It commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Ordination.

Three of the four Gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22) tell us that Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples called the Last Supper on the night before he was crucified. They state that the meal that was shared was a Passover meal and the institution of the Holy Eucharist occurred during this meal. Passover, a Jewish tradition which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, is recorded in the book of Exodus. Jews also celebrate the birth of the Jewish nation after being freed by God from captivity. In the Jewish tradition three events are incorporated into the 8 day Passover celebration beginning with a meal known as a Seder: freedom through God’s intervention and deliverance, Hag HaMatzah or the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Yom HaBikkurim or First fruits, all mentioned in Leviticus 23.

The Gospel of John  (starting in chapter 13) deviates from the other gospel accounts and suggests that Jesus was crucified before Passover. It begins the first of the three days known as the “Paschal Triduum” which lasts from the Vigil on Holy Thursday until the Vigil of Easter. John’s version has Jesus having the last meal a day before the beginning of Passover and has him being crucified on the Day of Preparation for the Passover meal. It is on this day that the sacrificial lambs are slaughtered and symbolically it makes Jesus the Lamb of God.

John focuses on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, demonstrating how Christians should love one another through humble service. This event is traditionally celebrated on Maundy Thursday as well. Occasionally on Maundy Thursday the events of the foot washing and the Last Supper or Passover meal are often celebrated in conjunction to incorporate all four gospel accounts. The meal is called an Agape Meal. An Agape Meal is a Christian fellowship meal that recalls the meals Jesus shared with his disciples during his ministry and is associated with the Last Supper. It is the original potluck supper. After a common meal, it is then that Jesus gave the disciples the bread and the wine, the Lord’s Supper.

During the Last Supper, Jesus commands his disciples to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.  When Jesus shared the final meal with the 12 apostles before going to the cross, he told them one of them would betray him. Even so, He then shared with them the first Eucharist , the blessing of the bread and wine and offering these as symbols for the remembrance of his body and blood. After the meal, Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden at Gethsemane. Each of the Gospel writers describe the events of that night with slight variations so reading the four accounts (Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 14:32-52, Luke 22:40-53 and John 18:1-11) will complete the picture. It is here, after spending some time in agony, thinking about what is to become of him, Jesus is arrested. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss and he is taken away. Of course this is not the end of the story. On Good Friday Jesus is crucified, he rests in the tomb on Holy Saturday and on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection!

Joan Shisler