Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday 2014

 

   Cardinal Hume in speaking of Maundy Thursday remembers that we commemorate two events mainly in this night---the first is the giving of His body and blood at Holy Communion, and the other is the footwashing of the disciples.  He also tells us that the understanding of these events comes through prayer and to “ their inner meaning we must go….which is a process, and for the most part, slow.”  Some more on that : “ so go to Him this evening and answer his call to you to watch and pray….Spend time with him, as you would have wished to when he was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane.” From Cardinal Hume A Spiritual Companion Liam Kelly.

 

    The Apostle Paul writes some of the earliest thoughts about Holy Communion in our Epistle for tonite, I Corinthians 11:23 …listen again, “ I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, he brake it , and said, Take, eat: This is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.”

 

     The word “show” means to proclaim.  It is used in Acts of preaching itself not formally as a witness.  Usually when this word show is used it is speaking of a heavenly communication.  Taking the Sacrament of the Lord’s body and blood is a heavenly communication.  We are a part of that communication.  The receiving of the Sacrament on this night of the Last Communion is so wonderful and full of meaning for us.  Tonite is the night in the Church calendar when we remember His death coming in the Cross but the Passover or the Lord’s Supper is a vital part of that evening.  Then He was betrayed after being alone in the Garden with his sleeping disciples.

 

    But it is not just in that act of the Sacrament that we show forth the Lord’s death in our lives.  We do it every day in some shape, manner or form.  So the real question for us tonite is what kind of showing forth are we showing?  A life of humility as Jesus or a life of proud I can do it my way?  A life of service or a life of wishing to be served?  Tonite of all nights when we take this special meal of the Lord’s Supper we should be heavenly witnesses as we take it and as we go forth into the night.  We go forth as those who forgive and love, not as Judas who betrayed Him with a kiss.  That is our goal .  That is our calling together tonite in Christ Jesus.  Repentance, love and faith is our calling but especially tonite of all nights when Jesus was given up to His suffering, humiliation, and blessed Passion.

 

“ Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility; Mercifully, grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.”  The collect , prayer for Palm Sunday to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day until Good Friday.