A REMINISCENCE

I did not really appreciate Maundy Thursday when I was growing up. We walked to church after the sun set. It was dark, gloomy. No light could be seen outside the normally vibrant stained glass windows. And then there was communion. In my mind there must have been hundreds, maybe thousands of congregants marching up to the communion rail. It was interminable! And the sermon? Like all sermons during Lent, & especially during Holy Week, it was all about sin & death. Not my cup of tea.

Well, I'd like to think I've done some growing up. No longer does the Maundy Thursday  service seem oppressive to me. In fact, I look forward to it. The message is always timely. Worship with fellow believers is a blessing. And Holy Communion is something to be treasured.

"By the way, "The word 'Maundy' comes from the Latin, 'mandatum,' or 'command' which refers to the instructions Jesus gave His disciples at the Last Supper." [In case you're wondering, I googled it.]

A READING FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

"I will lift up the cup of salvation & call on the name of the Lord. How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation & call on the name of the Lord. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, I am truly Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to You & call on the name of the Lord." (Ps. 116:13; 12-13, 15-17) Introit for Maundy Thursday, Lutheran Worship

A VERSE FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

"For whenever you eat this bread & drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1 Cor. 11:26) Lutheran Worship

A PRAYER FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

"O Lord Jesus, since You have left us a memorial of Your Passion in a wonderful Sacrament, grant, we pray, that we may so use this sacrament of Your body & blood that the fruits of Your redeeming work may continually be manifest in us; for You live & reign with the Father & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Collect for Maundy Thursday, Lutheran Worship

A HYMN FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord (LW #107, Sts. 4-9)

His Word proclaims & we believe That in this supper we receive His very body, as He said, His very blood for sinners shed.

A precious food is this indeed--It never fails in time of need--A heav'nly manna for our soul Until we safely reach our goal.

O, blest is each believing guest Who in this promise finds his rest; For Jesus will in love abide With those who do in Him confide.

The guest who comes with true intent To turn to God & to repent, To live for Christ, to die to sin, Will thus a holy life begin. 

They who His Word do not believe This food unworthily receive, Salvation here will never find--May we this warning keep in mind!

Help us sincerely to believe That we may worthily receive Your supper & in You find rest. Amen, He who believes is blest.