Maundy Thursday

I copied this information (and reminder) from the cloud, and it was well written by:  

Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com 
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on March 31, 2015 at 11:42 AM

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. It recalls the night Jesus spent with his disciples having the Last Supper.

Hours after the supper, Jesus would be betrayed by his disciple Judas and eventually crucified by the Romans. Maundy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Tridiuum, which includes Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Maundy Thursday is part of Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday.

What does "maundy" mean?

Maundy derives from the Latin word "mandatum," which means mandate. During the Last Supper Jesus washed the feet of his disciple and said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."(John 13:34, KJV).

How does one celebrate Maundy Thursday?

Christian churches of various denominations have church services on Maundy Thursday. It is a solemn affair, rather than the jubilant Easter gathering. Services often incorporate the Eucharist, or communion. In many churches, the priests or pastors will wash the feet of the parishioners, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

(My photo, taken at Southeastern University)

You mentioned before that Maundy Thursday has a lasting impact on church services every Sunday of the year. What do you mean?

During the Last Supper, Jesus gives bread and wine to his apostles. According to the Bible, he told them of the bread: "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19, ESV). He followed it by describing the wine as thus: "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20, ESV).

Christians recreate the event, calling it the Eucharist (a term derived from the Greek "eukharistia," which means thanksgiving) or Holy Communion. It is conducted regularly, with certain denominations (including Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian) doing it every Sunday. It is meant to remind Christians of Jesus' sacrifice as well as a symbolic way of having Christ with them and making his message one with their soul.

Certain denominations (including Catholics) within the Christian faith believe that the bread and wine received at the Eucharist actually become Jesus's body and blood. This is called Transubstantiation. Other Christian churches believe that the wine and bread are purely symbolic, although they may contain powers as the objects are blessed.

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Today begins the most holy four days of our Christian year.