On Maundy Thursday

I’ve come to view Maundy Thursday as one of the most meaningful dates on the Christian calendar for me. It is a day steeped in lessons that seem to become more and more needed in our modern times, where we have become so desensitized to the dehumanization around us and partake in such acts so comfortably.

Some background: Maundy is a Latin word related to the word mandate or commandment in English. And this Thursday recalls Jesus’ last full day before his death on the cross. It is the day he has his last meal with his disciples (which we now celebrate regularly as Holy Communion). It is at this last supper that he gets on his knees and washes his disciples feet. And he gives them a new commandment, that they love one another as he has loved them. After dinner, he goes to a garden to pray and it is there the party ends for good. He is betrayed by one of his own and handed over to the authorities. (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13-18)

I started this current series of Lenten writings with a reflection on the rare occurrence of Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day coinciding with one another. And in some ways, it seems we are back to pondering some of those same questions in a deeper way here on Maundy Thursday.

As we get closer to the cross on Good Friday, we see in Jesus a deep, deep love that is more complex and more devoted to others than we can fathom.

Somehow Jesus sits at the same table of his betrayer. Somehow he washes the feet of his disciples even though he senses they will dirty them again soon by deserting him. Somehow he prays for us sinners and gives himself over to the will of God, understanding that the cup he must drink next is the cup of death.

Knowing full well that hideous death is to come, he continues to do miracles, heal the sick, share divine teachings, pray for his followers, and—most importantly and stunningly—choose love.

Will we who claim to be mini-Christs (Christians) choose love this deep? It was his last request after all. His new commandment. May we stop breaking it so comfortably.