The Meaning of Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of Passion Week. We remember this day as one full of significant events in the life of Jesus. It was on this day that He celebrated the Passover with His disciples, the meal we often refer to as the Last Supper. On this day, He washed the disciples' feet. Later that night, He would pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. And still later, He was arrested and taken to Caiaphas, the high priest. On Friday, Jesus would go to the cross.
The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, from which we get our word "mandate." Mandatum is usually translated "to command," but other meanings are "to give," "to entrust" and "to order." After Jesus and His disciples had finished their meal together, He gave them a new commandment: A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35).
Jesus had already shown His great love for His disciples that very evening. At that time it was normal for a servant to wash the feet of the guests upon arrival. But there was no servant present. And none of the disciples volunteered to do such a lowly task. So Jesus, giving an unmistakable lesson of service and humility, did the job Himself.
What does Maundy Thursday mean for us today? It is both a reminder and an opportunity. By gathering to worship on this day, we recall the night before Jesus' death on the cross for our sins. We also focus on His new commandment to love one another. Here at Trinity, Maundy Thursday is the occasion for one of two special mercy offerings taken up each year. Our offerings support the mercy needs of both Trinity and the local community. Every year Trinity's mercy coordinator, Laurel Chruma, receives several hundred calls and referrals for mercy needs. She works with the Mercy Ministry Team to carefully consider each request, whether it is for an unexpected medical expense or baby clothes for a single mother. Laurel refers some requests to members of the Helps & Needs team and others to outside agencies. Some she deals with directly. But many of these needs are met by the monies given at the special offerings on Maundy Thursday and at Lessons & Carols.
Henri Nouwen, in his book Show Me the Way, describes the events of Maundy Thursday as "an expression of God's determination to show us His love. ...Jesus calls us to continue His mission of revealing the perfect love of God in this world. He calls us to total self-giving...He wants our love to be as full, as radical, and as complete as His own."
