This day has two foci: service and eucharist. It takes its name from the Latin word for commandment – mandatum – specifically Jesus’ words to his disciples at the Last Supper “I give you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
That first Maundy Thursday he shows them how to love by first washing their feet – an act of humble service – and by instituting the Eucharist, an act of sacrifice. He breaks open bread and pours out wine in anticipation of the following day when his body will be broken and his blood poured.
This Maundy Thursday come to the church anytime between 4:00pm – 6:00pm to receive communion, recalling that first eucharistic celebration when Jesus broke bread and shared the cup, and asked us to continually “do this in remembrance of me.” On this holy day, think also of an act of service that you may do for someone whom you love, as Christ loved his disciples and washed their feet.
