March 24, 2016

Maundy Thursday is another important day of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday signifies the beginning of the great “Three Days” of the Triduum, which encompasses the last three days of Lent.

The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days.” It begins the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends at Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. Thus the Triduum consists of three full days which begin and end in the evening. The Triduum technically is not part of Lent (at least liturgically), but Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are still reckoned as part of the traditional forty day Lenten fast.

The Triduum celebrates the heart of our faith, salvation, and redemption: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Triduum commemorates the Institution of the Eucharist (the “sacrament of sacraments”), the passion, crucifixion, death of the Lord, his descent to the dead, and finally his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. Along with the Ascension, these important events make up the Paschal Mystery. Thus the Triduum becomes the culmination of our liturgical year including the Easter Triduum, and Easter Sunday, the “solemnity of solemnities,” the “Great Feast.”

On the night of the celebration of Maundy Thursday, not only do we remember the last supper, but we remember the commandment Christ gave to his disciples to “love one another”. It was not a holy suggestion – it was a command:

“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This is one of the reasons we need Maundy Thursday – we need to be reminded that we are to love one another because we so often fail at love. And I am not talking now about love of a spouse or “Eros” love, I am talking about “Philia” love or love of brother and sister, and “Agape” love, love of G-d. It is so important in the Kingdom of G-d that Jesus needed to command that we love one another. In this season of Easter coming up, when you peer upon the cross on Good Friday, and then marvel at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday, remember to love one another.

Pastor Dave