Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kenmore

6:00 PM – Soup Supper
7:30 PM – Liturgy
9:00 PM to 12:00 AM – Gethsemane Vigil (Undercroft)

The word “Maundy” in this day’s title comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “commandment”. It is taken from the Gospel according to John’s account of Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet at the Last Supper.

On this day we rejoice in Christ’s establishment of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) as the “sure and certain” means for us to have communion with him and receive the redemptive power of his sacrifice into our lives.

Prior to receiving Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, we participate in a ceremony of “foot-washing”. In John’s Gospel, we learn foot-washing was an act of love by Jesus to his disciples, as well as a reminder of the type of service Christians are called to exercise toward the World and one another. In many parts of the Early Church it was considered to be a sacrament (i.e. the power and love of God was conveyed through the action).

At Redeemer, the foot-washing consists of a small amount of water sprinkled upon your foot, immediately dried with a towel and followed by a kiss, the Christian sign of peace and love. It is a potent experience of the unconditional love God has for all. It is this “holilove” Christians are called to reveal and manifest as they minister.

After we receive Holy Communion, a large piece of the consecrated bread (marked with consecrated wine) is carried in procession to the Altar of Repose in the Education Building. A psalm of praise is sung. The congregation departs in silence. Those who desire to do so return to the Nave. All decorations, altar furnishings and linens are removed from the sanctuary while a Psalm is recited. This prepares the worship space for the solemn liturgy of Good Friday, and symbolizes the beginning degradations of Our Lord’s Passion

From that moment until midnight, all are invited to spend a period (traditionally one hour) of prayer, meditation and reflection near the Altar of Repose. (Reading and devotional materials are provided.) This “Gethsemane Vigil” recalls Our Lord’s prayerful struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. At midnight, the account of Jesus’ arrest and removal is read. A prayer is said. The consecrated bread and wine is taken away.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 at 10:03 am and is filed under Holy Week, Liturgy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.