On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet.
Maundy or Holy Thursday takes its name from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning command. This is because on the day before he died, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment – to love one another – which he showed himself by the act of washing their feet. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34)We also remember the Last Supper, where Jesus celebrated the first Eucharist and gave himself to us under the appearance of bread and wine – knowing he would really be offering his very body and blood to give us life the very next day. He asks us to “do this in memory” of him and this is something that we celebrate every day in church. So today, give thanks to your priests, who help us to do this in a special way at each Mass. And we thank Jesus for the gift of Holy Communion, where we can truly receive Jesus into our bodies to give us life, strength and hope!
