Maundy Thursday - April 17

Two Sacraments

There are two big themes in the liturgy for Maundy Thursday. The first is Jesus’ last supper shared with his disciples. And the second is Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

We heard about the Last Supper in the reading from Corinthians. It includes what are called the words of institution. Words said by Jesus at his last supper that convey the command for his followers to continue to “do this in remembrance of me.” In a way the Last Supper was the First Eucharist. As the collect says, Jesus instituted the sacrament of his body and blood. Historically, it’s not quite that straightforward, but it is Jesus’ actions and words and presence that are the source and authority for our sacrament. Jesus himself instituted the practice of sharing bread and wine.

In the centuries since, of course, Christians have found that participating in that sacrament, sharing the bread and wine, brings communion with the living Christ.

The Eucharist is one of our Sacraments, those grace-instilling rituals we do in the church. The sacraments always have an outward, physical, tangible component. They invite and require our actual physical participation. And through participation we meet God and receive God’s grace.

The Eucharist involves real bread and real wine, and when we consume that bread and wine we are united with Christ, and through Christ with one another in heaven and on earth. And Jesus instituted the sacrament. He told us to do it. He showed us how to do it and what to use. He even gave us words.

The reading from John’s Gospel recounts the other primary theme of this day. Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. According to John, after Jesus washed the feet of the disciples he said to them, “You ought to wash one another’s feet. You also should do as I have done to you.” He told them to do it. He showed them how to do it and what to use. And he gave them words about cleansing and showing love.

The parallels are very striking. He took real bread and broke it. He took a towel and tied it around himself. He took water and poured it. He gave the bread to his disciples. He washed his disciples’ feet. He told them to continue doing what he was doing with them.

Liturgical scholar Melinda Quivik writes: For some churches -- Brethren and Mennonites, for example -- foot-washing has sacramental power as an action instituted by Jesus. But even for those churches that have not yet embraced foot-washing, this day is the time to begin. It is a vital way to know Jesus.

Not all Episcopal churches include the ritual of foot washing on Maundy Thursday. We used to have the option to skip John’s Gospel and read instead a passage from Luke about the last supper. This is the first parish I have been associated with that did foot washing. I will never omit it again. Jesus told us to do it in remembrance of his love.

Drawing further—at least in part—upon Melinda Quivik’s words: In a strong sense, foot-washing is a metaphor for Confession of Sin and Absolution. The ritual of foot washing establishes in personal and unequivocal action the astonishing welcome Jesus offers to who we are, in our failings and deceits. Jesus’ action is a sacramental cleansing of one of the least attractive, most avoided, often misshapen parts of the body. We all have such places within us. Places which need cleansing.

When we offer to Jesus that which is dirty, misshapen, hidden within us, we are met in response with the great generosity of God’s compassion. Jesus’ action showing how he loves us so much more than we love ourselves. Touching, holding, washing, restoring to holiness that which we would hide or deny.

Much is made of how Jesus sets us an example to serve one another. And we should not loose sight of that. But this Gospel and this ritual are primarily about Jesus serving each of us. And whether or not we will admit we need his cleansing love. When we wash one another’s feet, it isn’t about mimicking Jesus. Any more than we mimic Jesus when we break bread together. It is about being Jesus’ hands and words and presence. That’s what the people of the church are and do. Especially in sacramental actions. It is Jesus who washes our feet.

Do this in remembrance of my love, Jesus say. And when you do this you make my generous love known and real in the world.