Lent and Holy Week

MAUNDY THURSDAY

When is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of Holy Week, the Thursday before Easter Day.

Why is it called Maundy Thursday?

Maundy is an old word for a commandment. Maundy Thursday remembers when Jesus met with His disciples for The Last Supper and gave them a new commandment, to love one another as He had loved them. This is found in The Bible, John chapter 13 verses 34 - 35

What does Maundy Thursday remember?

Maundy Thursday remembers the event known as The Last Supper. It was also the night when Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was later betrayed by Judas and arrested by soldiers and guards.

What is The Last Supper?

The Last Supper was the meal eaten by Jesus and his disciples on the night before he was crucified. They were in Jerusalem celebrating the Jewish feast of Passover and sharing a meal together. Before this meal Jesus washed his disciples feet, a job usually done by the lowest rank of servants. Jesus washed their feet to demonstrate that he had come to serve others. It was a way to show His followers how He wanted them to behave towards others.

During the meal Jesus broke bread and poured wine and as He gave them to His disciples He told them to continue to do this to remember Him. This is the celebration now known as Holy Communion, communion or breaking of bread in churches today. He also predicted His horrendous death with His body broken and His blood spilt. He told them that He would be betrayed by one of the men sitting at the table with them. This turned out to be Judas Iscariot. This story can be found in The Bible, Matthew chapter 26, Mark chapter 14, Luke chapter 22 and John chapter 13.