The "Maundy" of Maundy Thursday

 

Service tonight at 7 pm ~ in the sanctuary and online

The word “Maundy” means commandment.

Not like one of Caesar’s demands or decrees, but a Divine way of being.

This commandment isn’t about taxes or money.

This commandment isn’t about allegiance or where you align politically.

This commandment isn’t about the balance of your bank account or your car or even your membership cards in your wallet.

 

Jesus’ commandment is one word, “Love”.

Wait, what?

 

At the Last Supper, Jesus talked about “love” to the very ones who would deny, desert, and betray him.

At the Last Supper, Jesus preached about “love” even as his soul ached with anxiety of the looming cross.

At the Last Supper, Jesus summarized the good news, Gospel of God, was in one word, “Love”.

 

Perhaps as the church, as the ones who claim to follow Jesus, we have been all too good at setting up other commandments rather than exploring and embodying this one.

 

We have written By-laws and organized committee meetings and preached sermons and gathered small groups.

We have midweek messages, morning mediations, emails, and spreadsheets.

We have processes and buildings and structures.

We have cultures to tend and stands to take.

 

But how is “Love” getting the first, middle, and last word in our lives?  In your life?

But how is “Love” at the center of who we are, because it is at the core of Whose we are?

God is love.

Jesus is love incarnate, in the flesh, breath and bone.

The Holy Spirit is the movement of love.

 

Yet, we are not quite convinced that such a way will really work in a world, will love really trend on Twitter?  Will “love” get likes on social media?  Isn’t it quicker to make a quip about that new policy or news story with criticism or cynicism or trying to show how smart we are?

 

Perhaps that this the most difficult (even demanding) part of love…it’s patience and willingness and openness to our/each other’s humanness.  Love asks that we turn away from chasing success in all its shiny forms to realize what we deeply desire.

 

So tonight, bring your brokenness to worship…for that is where Christ meets us.

So tonight, bring your worn out and weariness for that is where Christ is discovered.

So tonight, bring your prayers to the Garden of Gethsemane.

So tonight, bring those Peter-like moments you stayed on the sidelines and shadows afraid.

So tonight, bring those moments you ran away because of you couldn’t face the pain.

So tonight, bring the pain and the ache and the despair to a table…

And tonight, may you encounter and experience love that will never let you go.