April 2, 2926 The Easter Triduum (or Sacred Triduum) Maundy Thursday - Mandatum Novum

Maundy Thursday always begins at the table and never stays there 

Last year I remember Pastor Emillie gave us a poem by a favorite poet of hers, Jan Richardson. It is called Circle of Grace and captures a very particular, special piece of communion that often eludes us, and it is worth talking about on this day when we commemorate that first table. 

 Blessing the Bread, the Cup
Let us bless the bread that gives itself to us
with its terrible weight, its infinite grace.

Let us bless the cup poured out for us
with a love that makes us anew.
Let us gather around these gifts
simply given and deeply blessed.
And let us go bearing the bread, carrying the cup,
laying the table within a hungering world.

Jan Richardson’s blessing names what we are almost afraid to say aloud: the bread comes to us with a terrible weight and an infinite grace. It is not light, sentimental fellowship. It is a costly presence. This is a table already leaning toward the cross.

And yet, year after year in your reflections, what emerges most powerfully is how the table keeps reappearing as more than a ritual of remembering, but as a living, contested space.

At Creator, that space is reclaimed in small, embodied ways: hands offering bread to one another, water poured over tired feet, scripture spoken in many voices instead of one. These are not just liturgical choices; they are theological claims. They say that the commandment, mandatum novum, is not an idea to be admired but an action to be practiced. Love must take on weight. It must kneel. It must touch.

And perhaps nowhere is that clearer than in the question that keeps echoing through all the Maundy Thrusdays I have experienced. Did Jesus wash Judas’ feet?

Scholars can debate the textual history of John’s Gospel, but the deeper question is not historical. For me this question is spiritual. If the love revealed at the table excludes the betrayer, then it is no longer the love that goes to the cross. The logic of Maundy Thursday collapses unless it includes the one who will walk out into the night.

Add to this the basin and towel, which become more than symbols. They become a crisis of recognition. Who is still at the table that I might prefer to exclude?
Whose feet would I quietly pass over?

Because there are other tables being built; louder, more public ones, where the language of faith is fused with power, identity, and exclusion. Bibles wrapped in flags. Accusations hurled in the name of righteousness. Claims of persecution that echo the story of Jesus while bypassing its substance.

Here Maundy Thursday becomes clarifying.

Jesus does not seize power. He does not weaponize scripture or call down judgment; he kneels in service. Most strikingly, he offers no promise of retribution to his followers. Pastor Steve reminded us that victory over enemies comes in renewed fellowship. The risen Christ is recognized not in domination, but in the breaking of bread.

That is the quiet revolution of this night.

It exposes how easily the table can be distorted into a boundary marker, who is in, who is out, who is pure, who is condemned. And it calls the church back to something far more demanding: a table that is carried into a hungering world, not guarded against it.

This is why the stripping of the altar remains such a powerful counterpoint. Everything is taken away, ornament, certainty, even the sense of presence. What remains is absence, vulnerability, and a question: What, of all we have built, truly belongs to the love Jesus commanded?

We are living that question in real time, especially in this season of transition, of calling new leadership, of discerning what to keep and what to release. In that sense, Maundy Thursday is not just a remembrance. It is a diagnosis revealing what is essential.

And perhaps that is where Richardson’s blessing lands most deeply:

Let us go bearing the bread, carrying the cup,
laying the table within a hungering world.

Not defending it. Not branding it, but bearing it as something fragile, costly, and alive. Because the truest sign that we have understood Maundy Thursday is not what happens at the altar. It is whether, when we rise from the table, we are willing to kneel.

Tonight's Maundy Thursday service reminded me of how much Creator worship has changed our worship over the years and what we still bring to services we feel is important. Susan provided beautiful banners behind the altar. Steve  and Claudia brought a pitcher and basin as a visual aid to remember foot washing. Pastor Emillie put together a liturgy meaningful to her and the congregation. Bill added to the reverence of the night with his inspired playing. 

This is a reflection of the love Jesus commanded. 

Service Recording 

March 27, 2024 - Maundy Thursday - Midweek Worship Taking Us From Table Fellowship to A Forsaken Crucifixion

Blessing the Bread, the Cup
Let us bless the bread that gives itself to us
with its terrible weight, its infinite grace.
...

Let us bless the cup poured out for us
with a love that makes us anew.
Let us gather around these gifts
simply given and deeply blessed.
And let us go bearing the bread, carrying the cup,
laying the table within a hungering world.

Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace.

Holy Week brought a history for me this year - a perspective from the time we joined Creator. What was experienced last year for example? What was important to the congregation? What set us apart and what drew us together? In 2023 Creator commemorated Maundy Thursday and Good Friday together in one service. It was hard at first to imagine the combination as it was planned. I felt a kairos reckoning asking to be made. 

Creator is currently focused on building community. This focus was represented by members of the community at this service giving each other communion individually and many of us either washed each others feet or had Pastor Emillie wash them. The first reading was from Exodus. The story emphasized Christianity's roots in Jewish tradition for me - drawing the communities together through Passover. 

The community building practices that have been in place during this Holy Week were having multiple volunteers reading from scripture, tonight's foot washing, and the way communion was shared tonight.   

On the national stage during this Holy Week the 45th U.S. president was hawking God Bless The USA bibles on television.  The $59.99 Bible, which was first published in 2021 and features an American flag and the words “God Bless the USA” printed on the cover. Inside, together with the words to “God Bless the USA”, the bible has "God Bless America", the text of The Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance and other historic American documents. Promotional material for the Bible shows the former president alongside country singer Lee Greenwood.

Historian and author Jemar Tisby says the whole project echoes the values of Christian nationalism — the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation and the government should work to sanction Christianity on a national scale. The tenets of Christian nationalism are historically tied to prejudice, nativism and white supremacy.

“There’s a very long tradition of what is included and what is not included in the Bible,” Tisby wrote.

Through his followers Trump compares his current trials to the persecution of Jesus. As a Christian I find the teachings of Jesus rich with wisdom. This Bible being touted during Holy Week reminds me of what I learn from the story of Jesus together with his teachings. The story of Maundy Thursday starts with a table fellowship among friends. It leads to crucifixion and then to resurrection.  What I think about today is that the resurrection stories, from the disciples locked in the upper room of the Last Supper to the beauty of the Emmaus story completes the circle back to table fellowship. Jesus does not promise to his followers "I will be your retribution."

This is not a political blog yet something is not understood from what I read in the "national public square". When Marjorie Taylor Greene, the controversial Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia, writes in a statement released on April 27 that she believes Catholic bishops are “satanic”, that they are protecting pedophiles, and that they are “destroying our nation” through their support of migrants, and that Satan is “controlling” the Catholic Church in the United States as a result. I feel this compels Christians to express a different understanding of scripture if they have one.

I know the Creator community has a different understanding of scripture and our Catholic brothers and sisters motives towards helping migrants than Greene's.

April 6, 2023 - Maundy Thursday / Good Friday Service - From a Supper Table of Fellowship to Departing an Empty Altar in Silence

Creator commemorated both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday with one service tonight. When Pastor Steve first suggested this combination I found it hard at first to imagine the combination. What would the transition work. Yet last night's evening was memorable.

Susan's black and white art set a tone for the evening. There was a particular intimacy in the stark contrasts that those around me were commenting on, and that I felt as well, towards everyone who had gathered.

Pastor Steve emphasized the table fellowship. Communion distribution last night was done by groups of us gathered around the altar. The sermon's message was that we did this remembrance because we are the same as the disciples. In the end Jesus left a message, not for us to love only him, but for us to love one another. This was interesting because of a controversy I just recently discovered about the Last Supper. Apparently there is a question, did Jesus washed Judas' feet during the Last Supper? 

There are different interpretations of the Gospel accounts of the event. In the Gospel of John, it is explicitly mentioned that Jesus washed the feet of all the disciples, including Judas Iscariot:

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' 'No,' said Peter, 'you shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' 'Then, Lord,' Simon Peter replied, 'not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!' Jesus answered, 'Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.' For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'" (John 13:3-15)

However, in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the washing of the feet is not mentioned at all. Instead, they focus on the institution of the Lord's Supper, where Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him:

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.' When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Matthew 26:26-30)

The absence of the foot-washing scene in the Synoptic Gospels has led some scholars to question its historicity, or whether it was a later addition to the Gospel of John. Others suggest that it was not mentioned in the Synoptics because it did not fit the narrative structure or theological emphasis of those Gospels.

In terms of the controversy specifically related to Judas, some scholars argue that it is unlikely that Jesus would have washed the feet of his betrayer, as it would have been seen as an act of honor and forgiveness. Others suggest that Jesus deliberately included Judas in the foot-washing to demonstrate the extent of his love and to offer him the opportunity to repent. Ultimately, the interpretation of the foot-washing scene and its relationship to the betrayal of Judas remains a matter of debate among scholars and theologians. The atmosphere of our remembrance last night left no doubt in my mind that Jesus did wash the feet of Judas. How could love act otherwise?

The empty altar at the end of this Maundy Thursday / Good Friday service remained a powerful symbol of the sacrifice and absence of Jesus Christ. We were reminded of the need to carry on his work of love and compassion in the world and to strive for a better, more just society. And this service held a new meaning as Creator is so close to calling a new pastor. We strip the altar of all the meaningful symbols of our faith so that we can evaluate and add back what remains meaningful to us. We may honor yet  leave behind once-meaningful traditions that no longer serve a purpose.

My wife Mary commented that we did not sing a favorite hymn of hers we traditionally sing on Good Friday. I am writing this on Good Friday so I sing this alone tonight to honor and reflect on this hymn's words and music. 

1. O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
   Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
   O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
   Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.
   
   
2. What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
   Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
   Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
   Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
   
   
3. What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
   For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
   O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
   Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
   
   
4. Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
   Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
   Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
   My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.
   

April 18, 2019 - Maundy Thursday - Take Up Your Towel and Love Sacrificially and Selflessly

Tonight's First Reading from Exodus stood out for me after my particular journey in Lent. The verses detailed Passover. and how the "congregation of Israel" could avoid God's judgment and final plague. The Bible tells us at around midnight one night, all the firstborn children of the Egyptians began to die, including the first child of Pharaoh, which was the highest position in Egyptian society, and the first child of the maidservants, which was the lowest occupation in Egyptian society or of a prisoner.

The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb that was without blemish, and smear it on the doorposts of their home. When the Lord saw the blood, God would “pass over” that house. God’s judgment passed over believers who honored God's command. Some declare that this foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the spotless lamb of God whose blood would cover our sins for those who believe in this God.

This Old Testament God is tribal. This God is not in keeping with the God Jesus understood and personified during the Passover meal. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other. Maundy Thursday marks an important part of Holy Week; here is what to know about this day that commemorates the day Jesus submitted His will to that of the Father and prayed "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).

The judgmental Old Testament God does not discriminate once death comes into the picture. The Lord struck down and killed everyone without blood on the door. God’s judgment passed over believers who honored God's command. Rather than the humility Jesus shows at this Passover meal, God humiliates the Egyptians with the plagues. The contrast was made clear to me tonight. None of the Egyptians were told to observe this rite.

God, through Jesus, raised the definition of love to a new and higher standard. Jesus sacrificially met His followers' deepest need---that of new spiritual life and the forgiveness of sins. He even loved His enemies, and He calls us to show love to those who don't appear to deserve it. Just as Jesus loved sinners "to the end" (or "to the max" John 13:1) when He had nothing to gain from them, so must we. The Bible says that there was nothing attractive about sinful mankind that drew Him to love us. God loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Salvation is not only a wonderful gift that protects us from the penalty that we deserve Romans 6:23, the work of Christ also embues new life, grants spiritual strength, and motivates godly action in those who believe.

As He was about to go to the cross, Jesus was telling his disciples, and demonstrating to them through washing their feet, that the kind of love He was talking about was much more than the rules of the Pharisees--it was sacrificial and selfless.
John 13:2-17 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
The voice of John's Jesus always sounds much more emphatic and powerful.This the same Jesus who, as he arrested comes forward and starts by asking, '“Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.”Jesus replied, “I am he.” When Jesus said to them, “I am he,”they stepped back and fell to the ground.'
John is chronologically later than the other Gospels in when it was written. Jesus accounts make him out to be much more Godlike than the earlier accounts.
The Stripping of the Altar was another unique experience. Not only was the altar stripped, the banners were as well and the Prayer corner. Two powerful symbols were left. The cross in the back corner, which was the tool of choice for the Romans who were trying to hold and yield power by fear and death. The other was the altar itself, which was a reminder tonight of the abundance of the table that Jesus embodied that the powers of the day were trying to strip.
Through the resurrection God demonstrates that this striping of the table will not stand. After the resurrection the appearance stories will mostly feature powerful table fellowship. For instance, Jesus eats fish with the disciples and it is around the table that Jesus is recognized at Emmaus.

Blog Anniversary - Maundy Thursday, 2006

 
Holy Week: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday begins the three day, three part service of Holy Week. This day commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the Eucharist. “Mandatum novum do vobis” (“a new commandment I give to you”) is the command given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another.

The foot washing has been, in the past few years for me, at the emotional core of Maundy Thursday. This year, though, it is the personal confession opening the service that rivets my heart. How many opportunities slip away where I could recognize where I personally miss the mark. Each Sunday it is so easy to crowd away from my mind and spirit during the service, all my actions that were rooted in ego, cynicism, routine or laziness throughout the week.

The commandment is global but even applying this locally is challenging. For me church is the foundation of where this kind of love begins. I think about how close so many people in our congregation are to each other.

This year the observance of Holy Week also reminds me how much more meaningful it becomes for me each year. Dante Alighieri chose to begin his epic poem the Commedia Divina--Divine Comedy on Maundy Thursday and today this links with this command to love one another. My awareness was triggered by a recent exploration of Dante’s work.

Most of us, when we read Dante, focus on the Inferno. There is a palpable feel to the images we encounter in this first part of the Divine Comedy. However a few lines from the Paradiso captures a perspective and depth to Jesus’ commandment this year I had not apprehended completely in my heart until now:

O grace abundant, by which I presumed
To fix my sight upon the Light Eternal,
So that the seeing I consumed therein!

I saw that in its depth far down is lying
Bound up with love together in one volume,
What through the universe in leaves is scattered;

Substance, and accident, and their operations,
All interfused together in such wise
That what I speak of is one simple light.

The universal fashion of this knot
Methinks I saw, since more abundantly
In saying this I feel that I rejoice.

With these lines in mind Jesus' commandment to love one another illuminates my thoughts and how I view the world and the people around me.

So often we assume there is a constant scarcity of resources in our daily life. This is how life appears, particularly when the theory of evolution is accepted which has its root in Thomas Malthus and his "Principle of Population". In this view all of us compete for life and resources. What we are given is divided with the constant questions as to the justice and fairness of the division.

Jesus, in this one commandment, offers a way to shatter this assumption. As Dante writes, what through the universe in leaves is scattered is “bound up with love together in one volume”. Loving one another as unique pages, each necessary for the whole volume, is now at the heart of the commandment for me. To lose one page is to diminish the relationship of our universe with God. There is a new meaning and urgency to this commandment today that challanges me to put into practice what goes against my 'common sense'.

This brings it all home again to me with the confession I found so important in this Maundy Thursday service.

There are lyrics going over and over in my head as Mary and I leave worship. They are from the Joni Mitchell song, The Three Great Stimulants:

I picked the morning paper off the floor
It was full of other people's little wars
Wouldn't they like their peace
Don't we get bored
And we call for the three great stimulants
Of the exhausted ones
Artifice, brutality and innocence
Artifice and innocence