Today is Maundy Thursday.  In the Episcopal church and others, it is the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.  It starts this evening with the maundy, or Washing of the Feet, Jesus performed for His disciples as mentioned in John 13: 1-17.  In verses 14-17 Jesus instructs them:

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; not is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”  

This evening also commemorates the Last Supper; the final meal that, in Gospel accounts, Jesus shared with His Apostles in Jerusalem before His crucifixion.  It is the scriptural basis upon which the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is founded.  St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians contains the earliest known mention of the Last Supper.  During the meal Jesus predicts His betrayal by one of the Apostles present.  After this Mass all church bells are stilled and the organ is not used until the celebration of Christ’s resurrection Easter Sunday.  In Anglo-Saxon times it was referred to as “the still days”.  This is a time for reflection, prayer and repentance for the greatest sacrifice God has given to all of us.  Jesus offered His life and suffered a terrible death on the cross so that we might live eternally with Him in heaven.  We should all strive to have a servant’s heart and remember with the greatest of gratitude the ultimate sacrifice our Lord made for us.  A French Franciscan priest once famously wrote:  “For it is in in giving that we receive.  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.  And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”  As we walk through this dark journey with Christ, remember He never will forsake us.  He is the savior of all who believe.  Thanks be to God.