{"id":183,"date":"2020-04-09T11:55:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T11:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=183"},"modified":"2020-04-09T11:55:12","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T11:55:12","slug":"maundy-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/09\/maundy-thursday\/","title":{"rendered":"Maundy Thursday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Giovanni Agostino da Lodi, Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles (1500), Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Maundy is an Old English word derived from the Latin <\/em>mandatum meaning \u201ccommandment.\u201d Jesus commanded his friends to love one another, no matter the circumstances, whether together or apart. Today (or tonight) we commemorate one gathering and two rituals. The first, foot-washing, we will mark by taking time during the service to wash our hands. If you are sheltering with one or more people, perhaps you can wash each other’s hands. Next, we remember the Last Supper, and we encourage you to break bread and lift an appropriate beverage\u2014juice or wine\u2014as you reenact this meal. While it is not communion, we celebrate our common life nonetheless. Take time to prepare these elements before you begin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

CALL TO WORSHIP:<\/p>\n\n\n

Of all nights, why do we gather on this night?
We gather to find the living God,
here, amid the gathering darkness,
and the approaching gloom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

And where is our God to be found?
With his friends, giving them comfort\u2014
while those who would harm him
plot his destruction.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Did he not predict this moment, just days ago?
Jesus said: \u201cDestroy this temple,
and I will raise it again in three days.\u201d
For tonight, though, the meaning is unclear.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

What more can he do on this night of nights?
<\/strong>Jesus will wash the feet of those dear to him,
to show that the Master is truly a servant,
and the least and the last are the greatest of all.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

And how will it end, this night of such darkness?
<\/strong>A table is set and soon we will gather,
where words of remembrance and glory will tell\u2014
the fruit of the field and the vineyard we\u2019ll share.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

And what of the meaning, eternity\u2019s purpose?
The day that shall follow will see it revealed,
when cross and crowd will conspire together:
the wondrous result, too precious to name. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

OPENING PRAYER AND SUNG RESPONSE:<\/p>\n\n\n

Holy God,
we come to worship in the gathering shadows
of Jesus\u2019 suffering and death.
We gather with a cloud of witnesses,
to experience love in action:
service and sacrifice,
commemoration and grace.
Stand with us as we remember,
and encourage us, as mark this day.
Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n