Maundy Thursday – A Reflection

As they gathered in the Upper Room Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around his waist. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the Disciple’s feet and wipe them dry with the towel around his waist.

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When he gets to Peter

Peter asks the question we are all thinking

“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

The look on Peters face is one of confusion

It just doesn’t make any sense

Peter, you are always the first to speak

Tonight you speak what is on our hearts

“You will never wash my feet, Lord!”

This is such a night of confusion

You are right, Lord

We don’t understand

Judas, you look apprehensive

I think I saw a quick look between you and Jesus

What does this all mean?

We are all on edge

We have been since that strange entry into Jerusalem

Peter’s voice once again breaks the silence

“Wash all of me then, Lord!”

What? One of us isn’t clean?

I am so confused, Lord

We are all so very confused

Lord, please tell us what is happening

Lord, please tell us that it will be alright

Servants are not greater than their masters?

Does that mean we are all equal, Lord?

Why are you being so cryptic, Lord?

This isn’t like your other teaching parables

This is getting uncomfortable

What was that, Lord?

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Love one another?

Don’t they already know we are your disciples?

Lord, will I ever understand what you are teaching?

Maybe I will have time to think about it in the Garden

Okay, Lord, I will follow you to the garden

What does this night hold for us?

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When we visited Santa Fe just over a year ago, we spent some time in the midst of an outdoor Stations of the Cross with statues outside of the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. This particular statue asked us to reflect on Jesus’ condemnation to death. In it I can also see some of the agony which he must have felt as the disciples went with him from the Last Supper to Gethsemane.