I’ve casually mentioned my plans this week to several people and almost every time I’ve been asked what I mean by Maundy Thursday.
- It’s today.
- It is the anniversary of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
- And so it is the anniversary of the giving of the Lord’s Supper as a sacrament or ordinance. It’s also known as the Eucharist, or Communion, or the Mass, or the Liturgy. The alternate term Great Thanksgiving deserves use, too.
- Some churches — I’m thinking of the Unitarians and Universalists here — who might not have the Lord’s Supper at any other time might have it on Maundy Thursday.
- It was especially beloved by Universalists, who would welcome members at the service.
- Some churches wash feet at the service.
- The term maundy comes from the Latin mandamus, “commandment” from Jesus’ new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)