What is Maundy Thursday? In Christianity, Christ’s “command” is commemorated on Maundy Thursday – “mandi” is a shortened form of the Latin word “mandatum” meaning “command”. This command was addressed to his apostles on the Thursday of the last week of Christ’s life before his crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus and his disciples had just celebrated what was known as the “Last Supper,” and as he washed their feet, he said:
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
In the original text, it is discussed what the “new order” of Christ means on Holy Thursday.
This ruling elevates the concept of love to a higher and newer level. By sacrificing himself, Jesus Christ fulfilled the deep need of his followers for new spiritual life and forgiveness of sins. He loved even his enemies and calls us to show love to those who don’t seem worthy of love.
Just as Jesus loved sinners “to the end” (John 13:1) even though he was not profiting from them, so should we. The Bible says that there was nothing attractive about sinful man that led Jesus to love us. God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 8:5).
Salvation is not only a wonderful gift that protects us from the punishment we deserve (Romans 6:23), but the work of Christ instills new life, gives spiritual strength, and motivates believers to godly works (Titus 2: 11-14).
While the Bible does not forbid us from celebrating days like Maundy Thursday, the real question is, are we keeping Christ’s new commandment of love, especially to those who deserve it least?
“Beloved, let’s love one another, because love is from God and whoever loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)
What is the relationship between Holy Mass and Holy Thursday?
Often, during the Mass, the priest reads passages from the Bible that recount the events of Maundy Thursday. This section usually includes verses 23 to 26 of chapter 11 of the first letter of the Corinthians:
“For I received a teaching from the Lord, which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he surrendered, took the bread and after giving thanks, broke it and said: “This is my body, which is given for you. it becomes Do this in remembrance of me.” Also, after dinner, he took the cup and said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; Whenever you drink this, do it in remembrance of me.” Because every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Every time we participate in the Mass, we remember the events of Holy Thursday. That our Lord Jesus Christ surrendered on that day to be tried and crucified the next day, on Good Friday.
Translation of Luke 22:14-20:
“And when the time [came], Jesus and his disciples reclined on the bed [at the head of the table]. And he said to them: “I was very eager to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat of it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And after taking the cup, he praised and said: “Take this and divide it among yourselves.” For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took the bread, gave praise and thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me.” And also after dinner, taking the cup, he said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
John 13:2-17
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he came from God and will return to God. After dinner, he got up, took out his clothes, and put a handkerchief on it. Then, he poured water in a basin and began to wash his students’ feet and dried them with a handkerchief tied between them. He came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him: “Teacher, do you want to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will later.” Peter said: “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered: “If we do not know you, you have no partner in me.” Simon Peter said: “Master, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!”
Philippians 2:1-11
“Therefore, if you have encouragement in union with Christ, if you have consolation in his love, if you have fellowship in the Spirit, if you have kindness and compassion, then complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being one in spirit and mind. . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or self-righteousness. Rather, in humility consider others superior to yourself, not looking to your own selfish interests, but each of you to the interests of others. In your relations with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: He, who was God by nature, did not regard equality with God as something for personal gain; Rather, he emptied himself and by taking the nature of a servant, he was made in the likeness of a human being…”
Today in the article : What is Maundy Thursday? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
