Maundy Thursday
Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos.
I give you a new commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you - John 13:34
I have known for a long time that Holy Thursday is also referred to as Maundy Thursday, but sheepishly I admit that I was unfamiliar with the origins of the term. I recently discovered that the word ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin term for "command", and that this designation is specifically intended to invoke the religious rite known as "washing of the feet".
As part of the celebration of the final Passover between Jesus and his disciples, a meal that would come to commemorate Christ's institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other.
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet” - John 13:14
Even though I failed to make the connection between the term and the act, this demonstration of servanthood was introduced to me at a very young age. And while the physical cleansing of one’s feet symbolizes both the washing away of sins and our role as a part of the body of Christ, I’ve always been drawn to this story as the ultimate portrayal of modesty.
As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate Him, to serve one another in lowliness of heart and mind. Given this, it’s no surprise that caring for one another can be so fulfilling to our soul. There are numerous scientific studies that reinforce the notion that kindness and good deeds create a positive and tangible impact in our life; that “washing of the feet” provides the spiritual provision we need day by day, above the promise of eternal salvation.
In seeking to build one another up in humility and love, Jesus provides the example from which He expects us to model our lives. We cannot grow in our holiness or lead others to faith without the working of His Spirit, and we cannot care for each other without embracing the service He offers to us first.
To me, Maundy is not just a religious rite. It’s a state of mind; one that keeps Christ close in our hearts and reminds us of our responsibility to care for one another the way that He cares for us.
I give you a new commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you - John 13:34
I have known for a long time that Holy Thursday is also referred to as Maundy Thursday, but sheepishly I admit that I was unfamiliar with the origins of the term. I recently discovered that the word ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin term for "command", and that this designation is specifically intended to invoke the religious rite known as "washing of the feet".As part of the celebration of the final Passover between Jesus and his disciples, a meal that would come to commemorate Christ's institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other.
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet” - John 13:14
Even though I failed to make the connection between the term and the act, this demonstration of servanthood was introduced to me at a very young age. And while the physical cleansing of one’s feet symbolizes both the washing away of sins and our role as a part of the body of Christ, I’ve always been drawn to this story as the ultimate portrayal of modesty.
As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate Him, to serve one another in lowliness of heart and mind. Given this, it’s no surprise that caring for one another can be so fulfilling to our soul. There are numerous scientific studies that reinforce the notion that kindness and good deeds create a positive and tangible impact in our life; that “washing of the feet” provides the spiritual provision we need day by day, above the promise of eternal salvation.
In seeking to build one another up in humility and love, Jesus provides the example from which He expects us to model our lives. We cannot grow in our holiness or lead others to faith without the working of His Spirit, and we cannot care for each other without embracing the service He offers to us first.
To me, Maundy is not just a religious rite. It’s a state of mind; one that keeps Christ close in our hearts and reminds us of our responsibility to care for one another the way that He cares for us.
Author: James Kramer, Director of Communications
Thanks for the great message 🙏🏿💯
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