Maundy Thursday Footwashing

The Maundy Thursday Liturgy: The name Maundy derives from mandatum novum do vobis, “A new commandment I give unto you,” the opening words of the anthem sung at the ancient ritual of footwashing, still observed by the Church on this day. It recalls the words and actions of our Lord at the Last Supper. Here, the deepening shadows of Holy Week are lifted a while. White is on the altar and flowers may be used for the first time since Lent began. The first lesson tells of the institution of the Passover meal. The epistle tells of the institution of the Eucharist and the Gospel sets it within the context of the Passover. It speaks of the servant-leadership of our Lord and his disciples, and anticipates the Heavenly Banquet in the Kingdom of God.

Maundy Thursday recalls the command of our Lord to love one another as he has loved us. It also calls to mind the Church’s duty and privilege of obeying our Lord’s command to “. . . continue a perpetual memory of his precious death and sacrifice until his coming again.”

This evening liturgy concludes with the dramatic stripping of the altar. While the congregation reads Psalm 22, (which Jesus is to quote from the cross) members of the Altar Guild take all ornaments from the altar and chancel, recalling the stripping of Jesus before his crucifixion.