Maundy Thursday, 2006 - Year B (RCL)
Exodus 12:1–4, 11 – 14; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; 1 Cor 11:23 – 26; John 13:1 – 17, 31b – 35
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish, Portland, OR
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Exodus 12:1–4, 11 – 14; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; 1 Cor 11:23 – 26; John 13:1 – 17, 31b – 35
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish, Portland, OR
Thursday, April 9, 2009
FEET AND FOOD
Let us pray: Gentle and giving Saviour, on this night we recall the gift which you have left for all of your followers in the sacrament of your Body and Blood. May we, who gather to re-member your body; be always grateful for this gift. As you served us, may we also serve each other in humility and love. Your New Commandment remains deep in our hearts – may it be made manifest deep into our world; that we may love one another as you have loved us. Amen.
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
Here, once again, we gather on Holy or “maundy” Thursday to commemorate the paschal supper which Jesus shared with the disciples on the last full day of earthly ministry before the events surrounding the Jewish Sanhedrin and Roman govenor’s Court would catch them all up in the destiny of crucifixion and resurrection. Now, as you all are probably aware, I am a good Irish Catholic boy and in my tradtion this day was always referred to as “Holy” Thursday. When I “crossed to the other side” and became an Episcopalian, I took on the tradtion of referring to this day as Maundy Thursday. So what is this “maundy” thing anyway, inquiring minds want to know.
“Maundy” is a middle English word – used specifically in this context – and derived from the latin mandatum novum do vobis. Translated as “A new mandate (or commandment) to you”. Early in the Church’s history in England Maundy Thursday was observed by the reigning monarch and his or her bishop’s with the washing of feet. In that tradition senior clergy would wash the feet of the lower clergy, it is noted that King Edward II, was the first English monarch to have been recorded as actively taking part in the ceremony. Tradition further developed in the reign of King John who is said to have taken part in a ceremony in 1210 CE donating small silver coins to the poor. Edward III washed feet and gave gifts including money to the poor. The practice continued regulary with the participation of the monarch until 1698. The tradition of the washing of feet among the clergy ended in 1736. That tradition was re-instated in the ceremony of 2003 by the newly appointed Archbishop of Cantebury, Dr. Rowan Williams. The tradition of maundy money continued without the direct participation of the crown, when a selection of people were given silver coin totaling in pence the current age of the Monarch. By the beginning of Elizabeth II’s reign in 1953, it had once again become normative practice for the Monarch to personally distribute the maundy money; a practice which continues to this day when in her 80th year, Elizabeth delivered 80 pence to 80 women and 80 men. Isn’t it amazing what we learn when we come to Church on a Thursday night?
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
I don’t have silver pence to distribute to you this evening – but then neither am I a monarch. What I do have to share with you this evening; like so many other times when we gather in Jesus’ name; are gifts of bread and wine which we as community in some mysterious and un-explainable way will take, and break and give as the body and blood of our saviour Jesus Christ. That is one of the events which we memorialize this evening; this “maundy” or “holy” Thursday. Jesus, having gathered the 12 (and possibly many more) in the upper room for the Passover feast; begins with heartfelt passion to offer all that he has – his very body and blood for the salvation of the world. Yet this is not the story which the Author of John’s Gospel tells this evening. The “last supper” account in the Johanine Gospel is very different from the accounts we have in the synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke. First we have Judas introduced as the one who will betray Jesus – this is the only Gospel that actually names the betrayer(unless we want to take into account the recently discovered Gnostic Gospel of Judas – but lets save that for another time). Judas is the only one who is mentioned as eating anything at this “last supper”– and there is no mention of the sharing of Bread and Wine as the memorial, which Jesus would leave for the disciples, and us as gifts in Body and Blood. In fact the Author has dealt with that subject in much greater detail than the synoptics back in the 6th Chapter of this Gospel. At the Last Supper account in the Gospel of John – the focus then will be on the ‘new commandment’, the mandatum novum. After stripping himself of his garments, washing the disciples feet and instructing them to do the same for each other – Jesus then gives them “a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” This commandment is not “new” because it has never been heard before – in fact in the Hebrew Scriptures from the Book of Leviticus the 19th Chapter the 18th verse we hear in the Holiness Code “you shall love your neighbors yourself.” What is new is the example that Jesus provides, giving definitive shape to that command – “just as I have loved you,” that is, “to the end.” Jesus will exemplify this commandment in “the laying down of his life”.
We will memorialize also this night, Jesus’ actions of service and humility in the washing of feet. In an effort to leave one more teaching example with the followers, Jesus in effect got up and said “watch this”. Now Jesus was not in that society a member of the cerlical or priestly caste (though, in fact Jesus becomes the great High Priest offering the ultimate sacrifice to God) so the holy garment or “vestment” which Jesus puts on was a towel. Next, Jesus takes a pitcher and basin of water and begins to wash the disciples feet. When Jesus reaches Peter; as only Peter could do – a protest is registered. This was because Peter, being the leader and likely the sharpest of the disciples, saw the implications. Peter reacted much like we also would have reacted and do react. We instinctivley shrink from this sort of thing. I mean, we can be humble before God, but not the other way around. Think of the embarassment of having – say your boss come to your house for dinner. They ask to use the bathroom and while there they see a spot on the floor and you discover them on their knees cleaning your bathroom floor. Never mind that you cleaned the bathroom floor for them, but that they should do it for you – it’s too much, too overwhelmingly embarassing.
Immediately after these remarks the altar party will set up with a basin and pitcher and towels to memorialize also this washing of feet. This most humble of actions for those worship the humble savior of the world who bent down to wash the feet of those whom he loved is carried out in the furtherance of the new commandment given this night as it is given every other night. We invite those of you who are comfortable – and even those of you who are not – to join in this ancient ritual that the Church has reclaimed in her Maundy Thursday liturgy. As you approach the sanctuary you may seat yourselves at the front pews and remove your shoes and socks so that you may have your feet washed. When everyone who would like to has participated in this part of our liturgy we will continue with the prayers of the people and the confession of and absolution from our sins and then share the peace of God that passes all understanding.
The author of John’s Gospel focuses on an interpretation of what the eucharist means through the secene included of the washing of the feet. Both using simple bread and washing feet become interchangeable symbols of what Jesus was about, and again, once more, the implications were there. We want God in all God’s glory, goodness and greatness. We want God in all God’s majestry, power and transcendence. We can handle that – God’s remoteness. But for God to wash our feet, to put on a towel rather than a royal robe, to be simple bread, to be that close is embarassing – and frightening.
Frightening for two reasons. First, we are confronted with the question which all Jesus’ actions forced. Is God like that? Not in heaven, but on this earth washing dirty feet? Second, this is frightening because when it was all done with, this dreadful and mortifying act, Jesus gives a mandate – on this maundy Thursday – the day the mandate was given to serve, to break bread, and therefore to reveal the presence of the Christ. No wonder Peter blanched and protested the implications! No wonder we do. Every time we meet to break the one bread and share the one cup, the mandatum, the mandate is there.
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
This, very simply then, is what our eucharist is about, our giving of thanks, our celebration. The presence of the almighty in basic bread and the mandate to be bread to others. To break open the word of scripture, the Word made flesh; to consecrate bread and wine and so bring Christ among us becomes both our comfort and our challenge.
This is what we celebrate on Maundy, Holy Thursday. The Gifts of God, but what a God! The gift of God who gives flesh and blood and with no apology leaves us with a mandate to do the same.
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
Here, once again, we gather on Holy or “maundy” Thursday to commemorate the paschal supper which Jesus shared with the disciples on the last full day of earthly ministry before the events surrounding the Jewish Sanhedrin and Roman govenor’s Court would catch them all up in the destiny of crucifixion and resurrection. Now, as you all are probably aware, I am a good Irish Catholic boy and in my tradtion this day was always referred to as “Holy” Thursday. When I “crossed to the other side” and became an Episcopalian, I took on the tradtion of referring to this day as Maundy Thursday. So what is this “maundy” thing anyway, inquiring minds want to know.
“Maundy” is a middle English word – used specifically in this context – and derived from the latin mandatum novum do vobis. Translated as “A new mandate (or commandment) to you”. Early in the Church’s history in England Maundy Thursday was observed by the reigning monarch and his or her bishop’s with the washing of feet. In that tradition senior clergy would wash the feet of the lower clergy, it is noted that King Edward II, was the first English monarch to have been recorded as actively taking part in the ceremony. Tradition further developed in the reign of King John who is said to have taken part in a ceremony in 1210 CE donating small silver coins to the poor. Edward III washed feet and gave gifts including money to the poor. The practice continued regulary with the participation of the monarch until 1698. The tradition of the washing of feet among the clergy ended in 1736. That tradition was re-instated in the ceremony of 2003 by the newly appointed Archbishop of Cantebury, Dr. Rowan Williams. The tradition of maundy money continued without the direct participation of the crown, when a selection of people were given silver coin totaling in pence the current age of the Monarch. By the beginning of Elizabeth II’s reign in 1953, it had once again become normative practice for the Monarch to personally distribute the maundy money; a practice which continues to this day when in her 80th year, Elizabeth delivered 80 pence to 80 women and 80 men. Isn’t it amazing what we learn when we come to Church on a Thursday night?
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
I don’t have silver pence to distribute to you this evening – but then neither am I a monarch. What I do have to share with you this evening; like so many other times when we gather in Jesus’ name; are gifts of bread and wine which we as community in some mysterious and un-explainable way will take, and break and give as the body and blood of our saviour Jesus Christ. That is one of the events which we memorialize this evening; this “maundy” or “holy” Thursday. Jesus, having gathered the 12 (and possibly many more) in the upper room for the Passover feast; begins with heartfelt passion to offer all that he has – his very body and blood for the salvation of the world. Yet this is not the story which the Author of John’s Gospel tells this evening. The “last supper” account in the Johanine Gospel is very different from the accounts we have in the synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke. First we have Judas introduced as the one who will betray Jesus – this is the only Gospel that actually names the betrayer(unless we want to take into account the recently discovered Gnostic Gospel of Judas – but lets save that for another time). Judas is the only one who is mentioned as eating anything at this “last supper”– and there is no mention of the sharing of Bread and Wine as the memorial, which Jesus would leave for the disciples, and us as gifts in Body and Blood. In fact the Author has dealt with that subject in much greater detail than the synoptics back in the 6th Chapter of this Gospel. At the Last Supper account in the Gospel of John – the focus then will be on the ‘new commandment’, the mandatum novum. After stripping himself of his garments, washing the disciples feet and instructing them to do the same for each other – Jesus then gives them “a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” This commandment is not “new” because it has never been heard before – in fact in the Hebrew Scriptures from the Book of Leviticus the 19th Chapter the 18th verse we hear in the Holiness Code “you shall love your neighbors yourself.” What is new is the example that Jesus provides, giving definitive shape to that command – “just as I have loved you,” that is, “to the end.” Jesus will exemplify this commandment in “the laying down of his life”.
We will memorialize also this night, Jesus’ actions of service and humility in the washing of feet. In an effort to leave one more teaching example with the followers, Jesus in effect got up and said “watch this”. Now Jesus was not in that society a member of the cerlical or priestly caste (though, in fact Jesus becomes the great High Priest offering the ultimate sacrifice to God) so the holy garment or “vestment” which Jesus puts on was a towel. Next, Jesus takes a pitcher and basin of water and begins to wash the disciples feet. When Jesus reaches Peter; as only Peter could do – a protest is registered. This was because Peter, being the leader and likely the sharpest of the disciples, saw the implications. Peter reacted much like we also would have reacted and do react. We instinctivley shrink from this sort of thing. I mean, we can be humble before God, but not the other way around. Think of the embarassment of having – say your boss come to your house for dinner. They ask to use the bathroom and while there they see a spot on the floor and you discover them on their knees cleaning your bathroom floor. Never mind that you cleaned the bathroom floor for them, but that they should do it for you – it’s too much, too overwhelmingly embarassing.
Immediately after these remarks the altar party will set up with a basin and pitcher and towels to memorialize also this washing of feet. This most humble of actions for those worship the humble savior of the world who bent down to wash the feet of those whom he loved is carried out in the furtherance of the new commandment given this night as it is given every other night. We invite those of you who are comfortable – and even those of you who are not – to join in this ancient ritual that the Church has reclaimed in her Maundy Thursday liturgy. As you approach the sanctuary you may seat yourselves at the front pews and remove your shoes and socks so that you may have your feet washed. When everyone who would like to has participated in this part of our liturgy we will continue with the prayers of the people and the confession of and absolution from our sins and then share the peace of God that passes all understanding.
The author of John’s Gospel focuses on an interpretation of what the eucharist means through the secene included of the washing of the feet. Both using simple bread and washing feet become interchangeable symbols of what Jesus was about, and again, once more, the implications were there. We want God in all God’s glory, goodness and greatness. We want God in all God’s majestry, power and transcendence. We can handle that – God’s remoteness. But for God to wash our feet, to put on a towel rather than a royal robe, to be simple bread, to be that close is embarassing – and frightening.
Frightening for two reasons. First, we are confronted with the question which all Jesus’ actions forced. Is God like that? Not in heaven, but on this earth washing dirty feet? Second, this is frightening because when it was all done with, this dreadful and mortifying act, Jesus gives a mandate – on this maundy Thursday – the day the mandate was given to serve, to break bread, and therefore to reveal the presence of the Christ. No wonder Peter blanched and protested the implications! No wonder we do. Every time we meet to break the one bread and share the one cup, the mandatum, the mandate is there.
(SUNG) A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU,
THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
This, very simply then, is what our eucharist is about, our giving of thanks, our celebration. The presence of the almighty in basic bread and the mandate to be bread to others. To break open the word of scripture, the Word made flesh; to consecrate bread and wine and so bring Christ among us becomes both our comfort and our challenge.
This is what we celebrate on Maundy, Holy Thursday. The Gifts of God, but what a God! The gift of God who gives flesh and blood and with no apology leaves us with a mandate to do the same.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment