Today is Maundy or Holy Thursday in the Western Christian Calendar. The word Maundy derives from the Middle English maunde; which comes from the Old French mandé; that leads us back to the Latin mandatum or command. On that day as he celebrated the first evening of Passover Christ gave his followers a commandment to love one another even as he had loved them. A commandment that could be considered a cornerstone of the early Christian faith.
There are several ceremonies that are linked to Holy Thursday in many branches of Christianity. The most common is the reenactment of Christ washing his disciples feet – a ritual that has it’s roots in the ancient ceremonies of welcome to guests. In many cultures water would be offered to a guest to wash the dust from their feet. Often there was a servant to assist but it was not uncommon for the host to assist in the washing of an honoured guest or one of higher rank.
The 4th century hymn Ubi Caritas has long been used as the antiphon for the ceremony as it speaks to the that new commandment that Christ is said to have given his followers. The version most used begins with the phrase Ubi caritas et amour, Dieu ibi est– where charity and love are, God also is. An earlier version that we hear in this Gregorian setting tells us that Ubi caritas est vera, Dieu ibi est – where there is true charity, God also is. It is this text that is often used in the Roman Church today.
The Gospel of John – Chapter 13: 4-5/12-17/34-35
4. He riseth from supper, and layeth aside his vpper garments, and tooke a towel, and girded himselfe. 5. After that, hee powred water into a basen, and began to wash the disciples feete, and to wipe them with the towell, wherewith he was girded
12. So after he had washed their feete, and had taken his garments, and was set downe againe, he sayd vnto them, Knowe ye what I haue done to you? 13. Ye call me Master, and Lord, and ye say well: for so am I. 14. If I then your Lord, and Master, haue washed your feete, ye also ought to wash one an others feete. 15. For I haue giuen you an example, that ye should doe, euen as I haue done to you. 16. Verely, verely I say vnto you, The seruant is not greater then his master, neither the ambassadour greater then he that sent him. 17. If ye know these things, blessed are ye, if ye doe them.
34. A newe commandement giue I vnto you, that ye loue one another: as I haue loued you, that ye also loue one another. 35. By this shall all men knowe that ye are my disciples, if ye haue loue one to another.
Geneva Bible – 1557-1560
April 18 is International Jugglers Day and also High Five Day – an interesting combination.
Willy Or Won't He 