Reverend Ref +

MAUNDY THURSDAY
JOHN 13:1-15

Today is Maundy Thursday, the first day of what is called the Triduum, or the "Three Sacred Days." For those of you who don't know, Maundy Thursday derives its name from the Latin "mandatum novum," or "new commandment," which is taken from John 13:34, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another." It is the night when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, the night on which Jesus instituted the Eucharist by reforming the Passover meal, and the night when Judas betrayed him to the authorities.

But, like my favorite professor used to say, "It's more complicated than that." The foot washing ceremony, which we are about to participate in, is more than an act of remembrance. It is a surprisingly intimate act that can catch you off guard. Many people have told me, "I don't mind being the washer, but I'm uncomfortable having my own feet washed.

Why is that? Here are two reasons. First, as Christians we are used to serving others. That is simply something we do as part of our faith tradition. And second, we are uncomfortable seeing our friends submit to us, putting us on a pedestal, so to speak. We don't like that disparity. Part of Christian hospitality, however, is not only being willing to serve others, but being willing to accept being served with grace and dignity.

Then there is the meal, which we finished a few minutes ago. This is not the Passover meal which became the Last Supper which became the Eucharist. The agape meal is a specifically Christian meal with a colorful history. Originally a common meal before the Eucharist, it soon devolved into a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) event in which the poorer people of the congregation were left out. Some, apparently, even spent the time getting drunk. You can read what Paul thought of all of this in 1 Corinthians 11. Eventually it became a charity meal until it finally fell out of practice over time. It is revived here as a remembrance of our early Christian history.

And finally, there is Jesus' betrayal. If you were here Palm Sunday, you heard me say that we all participated in his crucifixion. We all yelled, "Crucify him! We want Barabbas!" Tonight, we see the beginnings of what we asked for. We all have times in our lives when we are angry at God, when maybe we wish God would go away and leave us alone. Tonight, it happens.

Just like Judas, we realize that Jesus isn't who we thought he was. Just like Judas, Jesus upsets our carefully laid plans. Just like Judas, we think we can do better. Just like Judas, we become angry with Jesus. And in that anger, we ask Jesus to leave us alone. Much to our surprise and horror, however, he does just that.

In a few minutes, we will have the experience of being both the servant and of the one being served as we participate in the foot washing. From there, we will celebrate the last Eucharist until the Easter Vigil. And finally, we will tell Jesus to get out of our lives. The sanctuary will be stripped of all references to Christ and our faith. We will kick Jesus out. We will be alone.

In that loneliness, I urge you to spend some time in prayer, fasting, self-examination and repentance. Question your faith. Ask yourself why any of this matters. Talk with God honestly, and expect honest answers in return. Experience each day of the Triduum as a way for you to reconnect with God.

Easter awaits, but we need to get through this first.