Today as revgalblogpals continues to take a sabbatical from its regular postings, we come to Maundy Thursday, the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Once again the mysteries of Jesus' final hours are with us again, his passion, his suffering, and his rising from the dead. We discover the answer to age old questions: "Does God love us?" "Is God merciful?" "Does God care for us?"; from the events remembered these days, so sorrowful and so joyful. We learn deep lessons if we allow ourselves in the rites and words.
The scriptures for this day are; Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Psalm 116:1, 10-17
I did not grow up in a tradition that Holy Thursday was commemorated with the last Supper, Passover, Seder, and/or foot washing. I learned about these events and their meanings much later in life. And they have become very meaningful to me. Perhaps that is true for you as well. Tonight as we once again perform these rites may you experience the answers to those age old questions. Let someone wash your feet, serve you the cup and bread, or the Seder meal.
It is the high point for many of us who serve in churches of the "Holy Week Rush"; a busy time, a pressured time, and a demanding time. There may be no slowing down, no resting time, and no time for meditation, quietness and stillness. So on this day, before the evening's worship, I invite you to continue what Mary Beth offered yesterday in her profound post, "Radical Self Care" perhaps it will set a pattern for the next days and our ministry as well.
The new commandment Jesus gave us in John 13: 34 is "that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
How do we love the Jesus within ourselves and in others this week?
Have you let Jesus wash your feet? If not will you?
Try taking some time away to think of your love of Jesus, Jesus love for you, and your love for others.
Try not to be the sacrificial lamb this season, instead remember who is the sacrificial lamb.
often it's hard for those of us in ministry to allow others to wash our feet. That's something I've been prompted to learn from God - and it takes real humility
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I've really been blessed by the Holy Week thoughts here and the break in usual schedule. Bless you all who work so hard to make this community work so well. I appreciate you and wish you all a blessed Easter full of the Risen Christ
What a lovely reminder. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to all as we get rushed preparing worship that will help others get quietly pondering.
great post Abi- thanks for encouraging us to stay with those questions.
ReplyDeleteOur service is a modified Tenebre. So, no preaching for me until Saturday night!
ReplyDeleteFollowing our Maundy Thursday footwashing and Holy Eucharist we hold an all night vigil with reserved sacrament in a beautiful "Garden of Gethsemane." You can see it here
ReplyDeleteThanks Abi, MaryBeth and so many of the rest of you for your refreshing thoughts and ideas.
ReplyDeleteHoly Thursday mood music and reflections here
We ahve our first foot washing here tonight. Lots of thought has gone into this and how to properly do it all. Our worship committee is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOur Maundy Thursday service was canceled due to storm and power outages, but I finished my meditation and have shared it on my blog: Unless I Wash You.
ReplyDeleteIt felt very strange to stay home!
I actually have two meditations up on my blog. Related, but not the same. I didn't like the first one so wrote another in the hour before the service tonight. So much better!
ReplyDeleteSB, it would be odd to stay home. What happens if there's a ton of snow Saturday night?
We did have our Holy Thursday service this evening, but with a very low attendance ...
ReplyDelete... and everybody there remembered that earlier this year I had prophesied a White Easter. They asked me how I knew.
I can imagine it would feel weird to have stayed home tonight, Songbird. And, if there were to be a ton of snow Saturday night ... could we have Easter a week late???
Yes, Easter can always be celebrated the following week if snow prevents it this week. I mean every Sunday is a "little Easter" anyway, so just make the next one a "Big Easter..."
ReplyDelete