Lenten Journey 2014: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday. The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin word Mandatum, which means "commandment". It comes from the Latin Vulgate translation of John 13:34 in which Jesus gives the apostles the new commandment to love one another: "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos ut et vos diligatis invicem." It is on this day that the Church commemorates Christ instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist, otherwise known as the Lord's Supper. The prayers, hymns, and sermon all center on the Lord's Supper. Here is the account from St. Mark's Gospel about the institution of the Lord's Supper:
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:22-26)

Now, while the Sacrament is the main thing emphasized tonight, it is not the only thing happening tonight. Amidst all of the excitement and anticipation for the reception and celebration of the Blessed Sacrament, this is also the night when our Lord agonized in the Gethsemane. Here to relate the account is the apostle St. Matthew.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.  Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (Matt. 26:36-46)

 

 And we are there too, agonizing with our Lord. But we are also there when the disciples abandon Him. And we too, unfortunately, abandon Him as well, so that the Son of Man must suffer alone. And it only worsens. To see the next part, come back tomorrow for my reflections on Good Friday.

Blessed Holy Week
Manny Tovar