Maundy Thursday: Remembrance, Humility, and Love
“Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
~ John 13:12-17, NKJV
Past. When we think of it now, or later, it is there to remind us—of what, exactly? Of what we have, what God has given us. Down to the very food we eat, the traditions we practice, everything boils down to this—remembrance. Maundy Thursday is a day to remember how Jesus washed the feet of all his twelve disciples and introduced Holy Communion, which explain the very meaning of Easter as Passover.
The first hallmark, washing of the feet, acts as a guiding light for humility and true servitude. Christ says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:14-16).
Jesus’ message is clear: the order of hierarchy, the natural order of his kingdom, is not meant to be a power struggle. Instead, a leader treats his followers with great dignity. And so, all of God’s flock should wash the feet of other followers and form a community of respect and genuine interest in following God. The washing of feet is an example of approaching deeds that require intent and dedication. One must be on their knees and scrub the feet of those they wash; it is menial, good work. This work which we give, this respect and attention we give to others, is selflessness.
After washing the twelve apostles’ feet, Christ introduces the Eucharist to his disciples:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
~ Luke 22:19-20
His body and blood—God in the flesh. The Lord asks us all, his great many disciples, to remember this moment of his great sacrifice, and of the great betrayal from Judas Iscariot who did not put true faith in the Lord. Passover was initially in remembrance of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt and journey to the Holy Land. Now, Passover is Easter (pascha in Greek); as the Israelites commemorated the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt, we are to remember Christ’s sacrifice so the world could know of his love and divinity. The Eucharist is to remember the ultimate sacrifice of giving his own life because he is not afraid of death; instead, he conquers it.
Taking communion expresses our intention to follow God and remember his good ways. By washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus is setting an example of humility and love that shall be remembered for humanity to follow—before and after his death, resurrection, and ascension seated at the right side of the Father. Maundy Thursday, like all of Easter, is in remembrance of Jesus’ love, sacrifice, and humility as a sacrifice for our sin and a true perfect model of how we should act.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where charity and love are, God is there.
(“Ubi Caritas,” evening liturgy antiphon on Maundy Thursday)
Nicholas Vasilakopoulos-Kostopoulos is a freshman in CC studying astrophysics and violin in the exchange program with Juilliard. Though born in Canada, he retains his Greek culture. Nicholas loves discussions about Arvo Pärt and contemporary sacred music.