maundy thursday

Maundy Thursday, April 2

Opening Prayer: Your Divine Son, on the night before he suffered death, instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood: Grant that we may receive it thankfully, in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries gives to us a pledge of eternal life.  Amen. (Venite by Robert Benson)

Scripture: John 13:1-17, 31-35

Journal: What do you think it would have been like to have Jesus wash your feet?  What would your reaction have been?  What is your reaction to hearing that he has “given us an example that we should do as he has done to us?”  How will you follow the example of Jesus?

Reflection:

 

     Try to imagine the scene.  You are sitting at the table with Jesus and his friends on the night before he died.  A confusing sorrow overshadows you.  Yet a mysterious hope has settled in your heart.  Suddenly Jesus is standing in front of you.  He looks into your eyes and immediately you are filled with an awareness of your tremendous worth.

           

            Supper was special that night

            There was both a heaviness and a holiness

                        hanging in the air

            We couldn’t explain the mood

            It was sacred, yet sorrowful.

            Gathered around the table

                        eating that solemn, holy meal

                        seemed to us the most important meal

                        we had ever sat down to eat.

 

            We were dwelling in the heart of mystery

            Though dark the night

            Hope felt right

                        as if something evil

                        was about to be conquered.

            And then suddenly

            the One we loved startled us all

            He got up from the table

            and put on an apron.

            Can you imagine how we felt?

 

            God in an apron!

 

            Tenderness encircled us

                        as He bowed before us.

            He knelt and said,

                        “I choose to wash your feet

                         because I love you.”

 

            God in an apron, kneeling

            I couldn’t believe my eyes.

            I was embarrassed

                        until his eyes met mine

            I sensed my value then.

            He touched my feet

            He held them in his strong hands

            He washed them

            I can still feel the water

            I can still feel the touch of his hands.

            I can still see the look in his eyes.

 

            Then he handed me a towel

                        and said,

            “As I have done

             so you must do.”

            Learn to bow

            Learn to kneel.

 

            Let your tenderness encircle

everyone you meet

            Wash their feet

                        not because you have to,

                        because you want to.

 

            It seems I’ve stood two thousand years

                        holding the towel in my hands,

            “As I have done so you must do,”

                        keeps echoing in my heart.

 

            “There are so many feet to wash,”

                        I keep saying

            “No,” I hear God’s voice

                        resounding through the years

            “There are only my feet

            What you do for them

                        You do for me.”

(Seasons of the Heart by Macrina Wiederkehr)

Prayers

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to understand that unless you wash our feet we can have no part with you.  So wash us clean, O Savior, that we might be clean indeed.  And that we might follow the example you have given us to follow.  Amen.