Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (From The Lectionary Page)
Two verses succinctly describe the observance of Maundy Thursday. "Do this is remembrance of me." "A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you."
"Do this in remembrance of me." In our English usage, the opposite of "remember" is "forget." The Greek word for remember is much richer, and so the opposite of "remember" is closer to the meaning of the English word dismember. When we celebrate the Eucharist in remembrance of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus becomes re-membered; thus, the Anglican Eucharistic doctrine of Real Presence. We seek not to explain how or why, but rather, to reverently and joyfully enter into this Holy Mystery of the Lord's Body and Blood.
"A new commandment." Maundy refers to this mandatum, this mandate, to love one another as Jesus has loved us. "Oh, no!" some of the disciples must have thought, "anything but that!" To love unconditionally, sacrificially, and not just in theory but in action. To love this way is also to enter in to the Holy Mystery of the Real Presence of Christ as found in the hearts of all people. It is meaningless to reverence Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar if we cannot also reverence Christ in all people.
And so the Triduum Sacrum, Three Holy Days begin. With the Real Presence of Christ - in the Holy Eucharist, and in his sanctified people.
As we gather during this holy time, know that you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Let us pray.
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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