Maundy Thursday


 
Later today at our Maundy Thursday service we will enter into the Triduum or the Great Three Days, the heart of our liturgical year.  

McCauslind’s “Order of Divine Service” says we have two options for the tone of today’s service: the liturgical colour is white and the Glory to God in the Highest is sung to the accompaniment of bells, or the color is red, we don’t sing Glory to God and we must wait for our celebration another two days. I don’t remember which option we follow at St. Augustine’s but Psalm 116 draws me toward the first. After our season of discipline and self-denial, it is time to begin to turn toward celebration, even if it is best done with some reserving of our full release until Resurrection Sunday.
 
Turning back to Psalm 116, the lectionary has us skipping over verses 2-9 but I find them to express my response to my Lenten journey. “I love the Lord, he heard my cry for mercy.” A season of self-reflection and penitence can teach me about myself, but also, and perhaps more importantly, about God’s posture towards me.  “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion; The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.” Sorrow for our sins is appropriate but I trust that you are also filled with thankfulness and joy at the grace and mercy available to us.
 
So we can continue with the Psalmist and pray verses 10-17 in praise and thanksgiving.  But after reading the Gospel reading (John 13), I can also imagine these words on Jesus’ lips as he watches Judas leave the upper room and  faces the path that will  bring about his glorification (John 13:31).

“I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”;
in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”
 
I hear these words in the light of Jesus’ humanity. Jesus strengthening himself in the Father as He prepares to face the worst humanity has to offer. Yet he remains committed to bringing about the saving plan, the cup of salvation. He knows that the plan and his death are precious in the Father’s eyes.  
 
Because the Easter Gospel readings are so familiar, I can read them for understanding but miss the emotional and spiritual reality they are recording. I am sobered and unexpectedly comforted by placing the words of Psalm 116 onto Jesus’ lips. The light of resurrection is near.

The Rev. Lawrence Kopp

Where the Light Is   
Eastland & Nancy Daines

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