Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
(Shared with the kind permission of Reverend Roger Wood)
Music and Hymns shared by Barbara Donaldson, with links to relevant u-tube versions
https://youtu.be/VskWXO-biCU (- I come with joy)
https://youtu.be/BLJ0IjLAmOA (- Were you there)
https://youtu.be/d0ybUpuLn8M (- There is a green Hill)
https://youtu.be/B16fv55RfeY (- Lord Jesus Christ)
Sentence:
Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God.
Collect:
God our Father, you have invited us to share in the supper which your Son gave to his church to proclaim his death until he comes: may he nourish us by his presence and unite us in his love; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings:
Exodus 12, 1 – 4, 11 – 14
1 Corinthians 11, 23 – 26
John 13, 1 – 17, 31 – 36
Sermon:
Our guide to Holy Week and Easter this year is St. John. The story he has to tell is of a kingly presence who deliberately takes the lowest place. He does so in order to sow the seed of a society shaped not by power but by love. The Washing of the Disciples’ feet sets the scene for that story.
(The top image depicts the head of a king.)
At the washing of the disciples’ feet Jesus is a kingly presence and is acknowledged as such. His disciples call him ‘Lord’ and ‘Master’ and when one of them challenges his actions he is quietly but firmly put in his place:
‘If I do not wash you, you are not in fellowship with me.’
Jesus is a kingly presence, but he deliberately takes the lowest place. Setting aside his garments he becomes a servant, washing his disciples’ feet.
(The second image shows a flagon of water and a bowl for the washing of the desciples’ feet.)
The action itself is slight but its implications are vast. It is an action that turns the world upside down. No longer is it to be a kingdom shaped by power flowing down from above. It is to be a kingdom shaped by love welling up from below. Its governing principle is spelt out by Jesus at the close of the episode:
‘A new commandment I give you, love one another: as I have loved you, so you are to love one another.’
The washing of the disciples’ feet provides a fitting prologue to the story we are to follow through Good Friday and Easter Day. We will watch as one born to be king deliberately takes the lowest place in order to inaugurate a kingdom that is not of this world but of God.
(The final image is a diagram showing how power should flow.)
Prayers:
Lord, after taking on the role of a servant and washing your disciples’ feet you said to them:
‘If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example; you are to do as I have done for you.
Give us the will, Lord, to do as you have told us –
to place our time, talents, energy and resources at the service of others;
to help build a world in which people honour one another and seek the common good;
to help build communities in which people serve one another as you served us;
to help build a society that makes it its priority to bring comfort and strength, help and hope to all who are in trouble.
And, by doing so, Lord, make us the instruments of your purpose, bringing love where there is hatred;
pardon where there is injury;
unity where there is discord;
faith where there is doubt;
hope where there is despair;
light where there is darkness;
joy where there is sadness;
till your kingdom comes and your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Post-communion
collect:
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament you have given us the memorial of your passion:
grant us to reverence the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may know within ourselves and show forth in our lives the fruit of your redemption.
Amen.