What is Maundy Thursday?
I have a non-protestant friend who asks each year, "When do you do that Monday Thursday thing?". I usually chuckle and remind her it's "MAUNDY" Thursday and that it's celebrated during Holy Week (which her church doesn't celebrate). But, it always makes me wonder how many of us don't reall know what "Maundy Thursday" is either.
Well, for starters let's talk about that funny word "Maundy" what does that mean? Well, it comes from the latin word mundatum which we get the word "mandate" from. It means to command or order or entrust. This recalls that Jesus gave the "great commandment" of "Love one another" to his Disciples. (See John 13:14).
This day commemorates the "Last Supper", the washing of the Disciples feet by Jesus, and the giving of the great commandment-- all of which took place (according to Scripture) just before Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
This is the meal where Jesus speaks to his Disciples and friends and tells them that whenever they eat bread or drink wine that they should remember him. Of course, they didn't really understand what he was saying at the time, but in our hindsight it is clear that he was giving them a way to remember him after his death. We don't just "celebrate communion" on this day, but rather we celebrate the very beginnings of the communion meal and honor the first time it was said "Do this in remembrance of me."
Here at CSUMC we will be commemorating Maundy Thursday with a light meal, foot washing, and a celebration of communion. The service begins at 7pm and is in the Dining Room.
I have a non-protestant friend who asks each year, "When do you do that Monday Thursday thing?". I usually chuckle and remind her it's "MAUNDY" Thursday and that it's celebrated during Holy Week (which her church doesn't celebrate). But, it always makes me wonder how many of us don't reall know what "Maundy Thursday" is either.
Well, for starters let's talk about that funny word "Maundy" what does that mean? Well, it comes from the latin word mundatum which we get the word "mandate" from. It means to command or order or entrust. This recalls that Jesus gave the "great commandment" of "Love one another" to his Disciples. (See John 13:14).
This day commemorates the "Last Supper", the washing of the Disciples feet by Jesus, and the giving of the great commandment-- all of which took place (according to Scripture) just before Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
This is the meal where Jesus speaks to his Disciples and friends and tells them that whenever they eat bread or drink wine that they should remember him. Of course, they didn't really understand what he was saying at the time, but in our hindsight it is clear that he was giving them a way to remember him after his death. We don't just "celebrate communion" on this day, but rather we celebrate the very beginnings of the communion meal and honor the first time it was said "Do this in remembrance of me."
Here at CSUMC we will be commemorating Maundy Thursday with a light meal, foot washing, and a celebration of communion. The service begins at 7pm and is in the Dining Room.
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