Maundy Thursday

Also known as Holy Thursday, the name Maundy Thursday derives from the Gospel of John, 13:34...

"Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos..."

("A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another...")

This is set in the context of the Last Supper. Scholars of the life of Jesus have noted the social, political, and spiritual dimensions of sharing meals in the Jewish community, particularly the time in which the life and story of Christ is set. Moreover, this appears to be a central feature of Jesus' movement (note the frequency of references to him dining, particularly to him dining with those who were considered unworthy, unclean, or at the lowest end of the social order; also note his parables and aphorisms related to the metaphor of dining). The sharing of a meal can be seen as acceptance reflecting the inclusiveness of universal compassion.

Hence the Last Supper, whether taken literally or not, reflects and magnifies the importance of this symbolism (ritualized in the practice of the Eucharist), which is summarized in the above quote. The context here is one of love in action, not merely in words. Given the state of affairs in the Middle East, Tibet, Burma, the Sudan, and also in our own local neighborhoods, we would all do well, Christian or no, to consider and reflect on this message.