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What’s the Big Deal with Maundy Thursday?
Jesus washes his disciples' feet
He set an example
by washing their feet,
commanding them to do unto one another
the very same feat.― Chiradeep Patra ―
Maundy Thursday (the Thursday of Holy Week on the Christian calendar) observes and remembers Jesus Christ's Last Supper with his disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which means “commandment,” referring to the “new” command Jesus gave to his disciples—that is, to love one another.
In some traditions, this day is marked by special church services, foot washing, the sharing of the Eucharist (communion or Lord’s Supper), and the stripping of the altar. The stripping of the altar involves removing all decorations, ornaments, clothes, and candles from the altar and surrounding area. The stripped altar provides a powerful visual as it remains bare until Easter Sunday when it is decorated again with flowers and other adornments.
Jesus washes the disciples’ feet
3 Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying…
