What Is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday -- a strange sounding name.  What does it mean?

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is a day on which Christians choose to gather to commemorate Jesus' final meal with his disciples, and the beginning of our sacrament, the Lord's Supper. 

The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). 

Prior to breaking the bread with the disciples, Jesus washed their feet. And He said to them:

If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should

wash each other's feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as

I have done for you. I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater

than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.

If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 

John 13:14-17 

Tonight many will gather to observe Holy Communion, and in some traditions a washing of feet.  An observance long honored by Christians around the world, in whatever chosen manner, we all gather to remember Jesus' last meal.

And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said,

“This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever

you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,

you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

I Corinthians 11:24-26 

Where are you in this time of remembrance?

With Joan today over at Grace Cafe

 
Photo credits:

Home and Family 

Leonardo DaVinci's Mural, The Last Supper, Wikipedia