I was having writer’s block this Maundy Thursday. I had hoped to be eloquent and wise, but I am blinded by visions of that cookie in my future, after over 40 days of denial. So I decided to read John’s version of the Last Supper. All of a sudden I am overwhelmed with thoughts. There is enough food for meditation to last weeks. You will find at the end of Today’s post a guide for a Maundy Thursday meditation courtesy of a special reader. However, my mind turns to the words of Christ found in Luke in his prayer about “remove this cup.” He ask his father if he has to go through with all that lies before him, and then accepts his mission with “not my will but yours be done.” We all face “maundy moments” where we would rather not have to go through what is next in our lives, but we know we have to do it. It may be related to health, family, or work but what we face is what we are meant to face. Moses argued with God about freeing his people, the Bible is filled with reluctant participants, and even Christ knowing the eventual good outcome asked that the cup be passed. God doesn’t expect us to face these moments without reluctance or fear. But he will , as he did for Christ, send his angels to comfort us, and he sent his Son to lead by example and to reveal the eventual outcome. Yes “maundy Thursdays come to us all,” but so does Easter.
Guided Meditation for Maundy
Thursday
Read
John 13:1-15, 34-35
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were
in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the
heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he
had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his
outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was
tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you
going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I
am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You
will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you
have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet
only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has
bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And
you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him;
for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
“After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to
the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call
me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to
you.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as
I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Respond
“Until the End of the World” – U2
Haven’t seen you in quite a while
I was down the hold just passing time
Last time we met was a low-lit room
We were as close together as a bride and groom
We ate the food, we drank the wine
Everybody having a good time
Except you
You were talking about the end of the world
I took the money
I spiked your drink
You miss too much these days if you stop to think
You lead me on with those innocent eyes
You know I love the element of surprise
In the garden I was playing the tart
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
You…you were acting like it was
The end of the world
(Love…love…)
In my dream I was drowning my sorrows
But my sorrows, they learned to swim
Surrounding me, going down on me
Spilling over the brim
Waves of regret and waves of joy
I reached out for the one I tried to destroy
You…you said you’d wait
’til the end of the world
Pray
O God you have taught us to love each other so deeply and serve each other
so completely that we should wash each others’ feet just as Jesus washed the
feet of his disciples. Bless our hearts with humility and our hands with
strength that we might love one another as you have loved us. We ask this
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflect
Take 5 minutes to sit with this
image.
If you were at that table, who would
you be?
Pray
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he
suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully
grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our
Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who
now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Leave a Reply +