“Maundy” comes from the Old Latin mandatum meaning command and refers to Jesus’ words in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you: Love one another as I have loved you.” Maundy Thursday helps us remember four events in the final hours of Jesus’ life: 1) the washing of the disciples’ feet, 2) the giving of Lord’s Supper/Eucharist, 3) the agony of Gethsemane, and 4) the betrayal by Judas Iscariot.
We took the opportunity to combine Maundy Thursday with some elements from Good Friday as well. Around the room were stations set up with objects to help us enter into the story of Jesus’ last week before his death. The table was set for a shared meal which was followed by a meditation on Jesus’ Passion. We ended our time with Communion remembering the Last Supper.
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- foot/hand washing station
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- Easter Garden
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- Reading about Mary anointing Jesus’ feet
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- learning about the Garden of Gesthemane
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- Lisa washing her son’s feet
It was fun to go around to each station with my girls and watch the children engage the story through the different objects. The whole thing was interactive. My oldest daughter and her friend washed each other’s hands at the foot-washing station, they smelled oils and perfumes similar to the ones Mary anointed Jesus with, counted quarters to make sure all 30 pieces of silver Judas received as payment to betray Jesus were there, and read about the Garden of Gesthemane.
Each child also created an Easter Garden which they were able to take home. The interactive nature of the evening was a great way to teach the children and bring them into the story.
Remembering Jesus’ suffering helps build anticipation and longing in me for the Resurrection. Entering into Jesus’ story the way we did Thursday night makes it all seem much more real and removes some of the familiarity. This year for some reason I was especially struck by Peter’s denial of Jesus and have contemplated ways I deny Jesus.
As it turned out, everyone who came Thursday night had been in a group together years ago. We’ve all since gone on to start new groups. I was encouraged to be with all of them once again in my home, and I was excited to think about how we’ve all grown personally, taken risks, and are doing our best to live lives of mission.
They have all played a role in serving and loving me. It was a perfect way way to spend a night remembering Jesus’ command to his disciples to love one another.
