Reverend Ref +

MAUNDY THURSDAY

And so it begins. Actually, it began on Sunday with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and Christ's passion and death. But now we take that story line of Palm Sunday and stretch it out over three days. Today is the first day of the Triduum, the sacred three days.

For those who don't know, Maundy Thursday derives its name from the Latin word mandatum, which in turn is based on Jesus' new command, or mandate, that we heard in the gospel reading. That command is to serve and love others as Jesus had served and loved.

Now we could take that command, and its actions, literally and instead of partaking of Christ's body and blood, come to the rail and wash feet every Sunday. But there's more to it than that.

Jesus came to show us another path to God. A path not based on power or domination; but a path based on servitude and love. Over in Matthew, Jesus is recorded as saying, "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve." This way of thinking turns everything upside down. It should make us question why the poor were left behind in the wake of Katrina, and it should make us question the morality of a law that makes it illegal to offer humanitarian aid to illegal immigrants.

Christianity is not a religion acted out by the rich and powerful, but by those willing to serve others in all kinds of conditions. That includes serving those in need, such as the homeless, hungry and alien, as well as seving our neighbors, friends and fellow parishioners. This is part of our baptismal covenant as well, "Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons ..."

All persons. Not just those with the same skin color or income level or political views, but all people. As with all things, we can use Jesus as our example. In a time when women were property, he spoke to them as a person and allowed them in his company. He spoke with aliens, tax collectors and sinners. He invited everyone to join him.

And on this night, he washed the feet of a man who wanted him to proclaim himself as Messiah, a man who didn't understand what he was trying to accomplish, a tax collector, and one who would betray him. He served them all.

This act is more than a simple remembrance of something Jesus did. It is a way that we actively participate as servant and served in almost the same moment. How does it feel to be on your knees before another person and wash their feet? How does it feel to be sitting on the chair and have someone kneel before you? Each act has its own significance.

Following the foot washing, we will go upstairs and participate in that other great act of remembrance, Holy Communion. This is the last time that we will share this meal before the Easter Vigil. The altar will be stripped signifying the desertion of Jesus by his disciples, the stripping of Jesus himself, and our desire to have him out of our lives. And before you say, "I don't want him out of my life," let me remind you that when asked what should be done with him, we all yelled, "Crucify him!"

This is the first day of the Triduum, the sacred liturgy that spans the last supper, betrayal, crucifixion, death and resurrection. The Triduum is not simply a series of four liturgies over three days, but it is a single story line in which we have the opportunity to fully participate.

I urge you to experience the loneliness of betrayal and the sting of death. Pray. Fast. Examine. The Triduum is our journey with Christ, and it starts tonight.