But tonight…
We will wash each other’s feet. It is an awkward and clumsy action. Being barefoot, unsure what the person washing your feet is thinking, we become incredibly self-conscious. But we do it anyway because Jesus modeled this action for us. He got on the floor in front of his friends like a slave, and washed their feet. It was a sign of hospitality and humility. It was a sign of love.
And then we will share a meal. We will break bread together in the celebration of the Eucharist…the ultimate sign of love, forgiveness and healing. We will do this because Jesus modeled this action for us. No one was turned away from the table…even Judas was there for a while.
Then we will process to the Agape meal to eat in silence. Another awkward and clumsy action. How will someone know to pass the butter? We will eat in silence and listen to scripture as we prepare to strip the altar, wondering and waiting, the calm before the storm.
We don’t just do these things because Jesus did them. We do them because we are commanded to. The word “Maundy” means “mandate” or “command”. Jesus commands us to be servants to each other. Jesus commands us to share hospitality with one another. Jesus commands us to love each other. Not because we’ve been naughty and this is our punishment, but rather as the best way to remember Jesus…to do as he did.
Tonight is also a time to reflect on who we are—Simon Peter (who never quite gets it right), Judas (the agonizing betrayer), or the beloved disciple. While we may be all of these characters in various ways, the most important thing to remember is that we are beloved.
So through our moments of awkwardness and clumsy actions, through our moments of quiet waiting, remember…you are beloved. And that is why Jesus commands us to love and serve each other.