Maundy Thursday by Rev. Merritt Watson

The Cloaked Cross

You are invited to the table.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. The name “Maundy” comes

from the Latin translation of John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment, that you love

one another.” Mandatum novum do vobis. The word itself means “commandment.”

Maundy Thursday is observed in celebration of the institution of the Eucharist or the

“Lord’s Supper”, which happened in the upper room on Thursday of the final week of

Jesus’ life before his crucifixion. It is a solemn but beautifully meaningful worship

service. It anticipates what will happen on Good Friday when Jesus was crucified. In

the Maundy Thursday service, we are given the opportunity to participate with Jesus

and with his disciples in his sufferings and death for our sakes. Together with bread and

cup we remember that his body is given for us, and his blood is poured out for the

redemption of the world.