In Crisis Counsels this week we are reflecting about the events on each day of Holy Week. Tomorrow there will be no issue of Crisis Counsels, and I invite you instead to connect with the online Good Friday meditation that we will be presenting at noon on Facebook Live.

Today is called Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which is the first word of John 13:34 in the traditional Latin – Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus spoke these words right after he washed the feet of the disciples.

Two major events took place on Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday in some churches). One event was the Last Supper, whereby Jesus instituted the sacrament of Communion as a way by which his followers would continue to share together in His presence. The other event was the footwashing; Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an example of loving service, and then gave them this commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”

We seek to live out these words as Christians today! In response to the pandemic and in the midst of stay-at-home restrictions, we are finding new ways to express our love and be of service to others. It is notable that in past centuries, during epidemics, Christians became especially known for their readiness to be of service to those who were ill. The disease has changed, but the love inspired by Christ continues! Let us remember the words Jesus spoke on this Thursday, by which he accented his “love commandment,” when he said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

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