Today is Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The Thursday before Easter is known as Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday. Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command,” and refers to Jesus’ commandment to the disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Today commemorates the Last Supper that Christians consider the institution of communion or the Holy Eucharist. The Last Supper was a Passover Seder (ritual dinner,) “the feast of unleavened bread” that Jesus and the disciples shared. Passover, the subject of yesterday’s blog, is the Jewish festival commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, when they left so quickly there was no time for the bread to rise. The Last Supper was a Passover Seder, the feast of unleavened bread.
Maundy Thursday is also associated with foot-washing — Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, as a way of teaching them to be servants. Jesus instructed his followers to love and serve. Most Catholic churches have a Mass on Maundy Thursday evening that includes the washing of feet.
During the Last Supper, Jesus said that He would eat no more until the Kingdom of God is fulfilled. He also said that “one of you will betray me,” as He pointed out Judas as the one that would betray Him….
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