Maundy Thursday 2014

I've never been much for foot washing. I realize the symbolic nature of
the act but in our climate people do not go walking barefoot or without
socks in open sandals this time of year.

The appointed Gospel does not include the words of institution or the
passing of the bread and the wine and chooses to skip the exchange
between Jesus and Judas and jumps to the following text:

Joh 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another.
Joh 13:35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know
that you are my disciples."

The message seems so clear and yet has been a stumbling block to
orthodoxy and dogma for centuries. Christ's body the church most surely
and dramatically demonstrates its conviction and faith through the love
we show for our fellow members and for the world at large. Those who are
in leadership positions lead best not by exercising their authority but
by the example they set.

Mar 10:44 and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.

The 'Lesson' contains directions for the Passover Meal in Exodus. The
Psalm rejoices in God's Salvation and admonishes us to make public
confession of our faith and to praise the Lord of our Salvation. In the
Epistle we have the traditional words of institution for Holy Communion.