Maundy Thursday!
Maundy Thursday is the day in the liturgical year where Christians remember when Jesus shared his last meal on earth with his closest friends and family. Jesus knew he was about to die and he knew those closest to him would each, in their own way, play a role in his last few days. Some of them gathered for that last meal would deny him, betray him, rebuke him, but others would sit at the bottom of the cross and weep. Still others would offer him a proper burial and guard his tomb. Jesus spent his life in mixed company. It makes sense that he would share a meal, a sacred meal, with this same mixed company.
But where does the word "Maundy" come from in all of this and what does it mean?
Maundy comes from the latin "mandatum" which is the first word in the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" which can be translated to "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you". (John 13:34)
Just before sharing that sacred meal, Jesus washed the feet of his dear family and friends, and gave them that commandment. Today many churches begin their Maundy Thursday services with a ritual foot-washing prior to sharing communion (the sacred carbs of bread and wine!) as a way to embody the lessons Jesus taught on that Holy night so long ago.
So today, serve the ones you love. Wash their feet. Share a meal with them. But more importantly, remember that the people you break bread with are human. Flaws and all. Love them anyway. Just as Jesus did.
