Maundy Thursday

Jesus’ actions reveal that discipleship means crossing the boundary from selfishness to servanthood. While the plot against him begins to unfold, Jesus has a meal with his disciples and afterwards washes their feet. The humility and self-denial of the foot-washing foreshadow the cross, where Jesus washes the whole world in his blood. It is in this context that Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love one another “just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). We share the meal of bread and wine,remembering that having become one with Christ in baptism we are now to share ourselves with others in love and service. We strip the altar remembering that Jesus was stripped beforehe was beaten and crucified. We are also reminded that Christ was stripped of his dignity on the cross and that our servanthood involves humility and self-denial.