Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, is the day Christians commemorate the last supper that Jesus ate with his disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum”, meaning mandate or command. In John 13:34-35, the Apostle records that at this last meal, Jesus gave his disciples the following mandate, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciple, if you have love for one another.”
On this day, Jesus the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him. On this day, Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room. On this day, Jesus gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his holy sacrifice, find forgiveness and be partakers of his abundant life.