Lent #35: Maundy Thursday.

Jesus knew that the hour had come.

(John 13:1)

There had been other Passover Meals. Even as a boy, the holy family made pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the great festival (Lk 2:41-52). So too, as an adult (Jn 6). But this Passover Supper will be different. It will be his last because his Hour has come.

At table, Jesus prepares his disciples for this Hour and for how they are to follow him even when he can no longer be seen going before them. The table conversation begins with a new commandment: “I give you a new commandment (maundy), that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-34).

The church celebrates this Last Supper on Thursday of Lent called Maundy Thursday (maundy-Latin for commandment from which Thursday gets its title). It’s a sparse celebration. Unplugged, acapella, no decorations, even the preacher refrains from preaching; just the Table, the New Commandment, and the promise of the unseen Helper who will help us follow Jesus even when he can no longer be seen going before us. Beginning on Maundy Thursday, Christ’s Hour unfolds into Good Friday and Easter Morning. The Hour isn’t quite the Hour without Maundy Thursday.

Our children claim Maundy Thursday is their favorite service. This evening we Zoom. I’ll ask them why. Maybe it’s because the preacher doesn’t preach.