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Maundy Thursday holds deep spiritual significance as it commemorates the final evening Jesus spent with his disciples before his crucifixion. Central to this night is the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, offering bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood. This moment establishes a sacred ritual of remembrance and communion, inviting followers into a profound, ongoing relationship with Christ through sacrament. This occurs after the washing of feet, a radical act of humility from Jesus that redefines power as service and love as embodied action.
Maundy Thursday marks a turning point from community to sacrifice. It is a threshold moment, where the intimacy of shared bread gives way to the loneliness of betrayal and suffering. Yet, it is precisely in this liminal space that Jesus reveals the depth of his love and obedience. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment,” referring to Jesus' instruction to “love one another as I have loved you.” This command becomes the spiritual heart of the day—a call to embody love not as sentiment but as self-giving action, even in the face of darkness.
Read the biblical account here: John 13:1-38 >>
Reflect
As we sit with the weight and beauty of Maundy Thursday, it’s worth asking how this story meets us in our own neighborhoods and daily rhythms.
• For those of us living in a city like Austin—busy, creative, and ever-evolving—how might the themes of this day speak to our lives right now?
• Where in your life are you being invited to serve with humility, even when it’s uncomfortable or unnoticed?
• In a culture that prizes independence and hustle, what does it look like for you to receive love and care from others, as the disciples did when Jesus washed their feet?
• As you move through your week in Austin’s vibrant but often distracted pace, how might you create space to remember and embody Jesus’ command to love one another?
For further reflection, consider how the lyrics of this well-known hymn speak of the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ love. Lamb of God >>
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