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Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. The term "Maundy" is a Middle English term that comes from the Latin phrase, "Mandamentum," which means, "commandment" in recognition of the new commandments that Christ gave us on this date ("A new commandment I give you -- to love one another.") Traditionally, this is the day of the last supper, the day when Christ washed the feet of His disciples, and the day when He was betrayed into the hands of the High Priest and Pontius Pilate.

From this day and from the words Jesus shared with His disciples during the Passover Seder, we obtain our sacrament of Holy Communion. The Jewish Seder was a highly ritualistic ceremony, with prescribed questions and answers to explain the symbolism of the meal. The meal was celebrated with a lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and wine.

During the meal, the youngest guest present would stand and ask the host a series of questions. The host would respond by explaining the Passover Story and the symbolism behind the elements of the meal (e.g. the lamb represented the lamb that was slain, whose blood was put on the doorpost of the Jewish homes in Egypt; the bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery; the unleavened bread represented the fact that the Jews left in a hurry and did not have time to add yeast and let the bread rise; the wine was symbolic of the lamb's blood).

On this particular night, Jesus changed the traditional ceremony by adding new elements. Instead of responding as expected, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks over it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me." Then He took the wine, gave thanks for it, and passed it among His disciples, saying, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes a new agreement (covenant). It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven."

Rejoice today in remembrance of Christ and in His mighty works!