Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “command.” It refers to Jesus’ new commandment given on this day to love one another as he has loved us, not superficially, but selflessly.
On Holy Thursday—the day before the crucifixion and three days before the resurrection of Christ—Jesus spent his final evening with his disciples in the upper room. Together they shared the Last Supper, during which Jesus offered himself as the Passover sacrifice. In what became the first offering of communion, he presented the bread as his body, the wine as his blood. During this holy meal, Jesus also said goodbye to his followers and prophesized that one of them would betray him.
Perhaps most importantly, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, cleaning days’ worth of dust and grime from the dirtiest parts of their bodies. This extreme act of servanthood and humility, usually reserved for the lowliest servants, foreshadowed the ultimate humility and love Jesus would soon show on the cross. In washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus washed away the stains of sin they experienced simply walking through the world. He gave them not only clean feet, but also clean slates, their sins forgiven.
What would it look like if we embodied this story today, in this time of pandemic? What would it look like to show someone mercy or forgiveness? Grace or kindness?
Maybe that looks like buying flowers and leaving them on a friend’s doorstep, an intimate act performed from a distance. Perhaps it looks like sending someone a hand-written note about how much you miss them during this time of social distancing. Maybe it looks like leaving a loving note to your neighbors in sidewalk chalk on your driveway. Perhaps it is sewing face masks for health care workers in your community.
Whose feet do you need to wash today?
Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril
from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts
O God of love,
giver of concord,
through your only Son
you have given us a new commandment
that we should love one another
even as you have loved us,
the unworthy and the wandering,
and gave your beloved Son for our life and salvation.
Lord, in our time of life on Earth
give us a mind forgetful of past ill-will,
a pure conscience and sincere thoughts,
and hearts to love one another;
for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator