April 13, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the great “Three Days” of the Triduum. 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 that comes to all people in 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. These important events make up the “Paschal Mystery.” Through a cross, an instrument of death, G-d saves the world – one man accomplishes what no other man or woman could ever do for our redemption. 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)

How hard it is to love everyone. I am here to tell you it is impossible without Jesus. This is one of the reasons we need Maundy Thursday – we need to be reminded that we are to love one another because we cannot love as G-d loves us. We so often fail at love – G-d loves all people. 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. The Kingdom of G-d is a reign of love – thus 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 that G-d destroyed death through an implement of death. It is a mystery – but isn’t true love a mystery?

Please collect a tube of toothpaste for Trinity’s Table to bring on Easter Sunday morning.

Pastor Dave