Today's sermon is by The Rev. Thomas Squiers of the Diocese of Texas. Father Squiers is Vicar General of the Diocese and also serves as an Oblate in the Benedictine Order of St. Michael the Archangel.
Today is the fifth day of Passion Week or Holy Week, known as Maundy Thursday. The word 'maundy' comes from the Latin mandatum, or mandate. The word mandate is defined as to order or to require (the root word of mandatory).
There are several elements that take place on this day in the Scriptures in the final moments in the life of our Savior. These moments are acted out in our worship services. The most important act is that of his instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus had gathered with his followers for one last time prior to the crucifixion in a place called the upper room, which was more like a loft. They shared a meal together. When they finished their meal, Jesus took a piece of bread and said to them, metaphorically, that "This is my body given for you, when you eat of it, remember me." Then he took a cup of wine and said similar words "This is my blood given for you, when drink this, remember me."
Can you imagine what it was like sitting there listening to those words? Can you imagine the confusion of His followers trying to grasp what the Master was saying? When we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, we present the bread and the wine as "gifts," as we say "Here, O Lord, we present these gifts of bread and wine..." The bread and the wine are indeed gifts. They are gifts of God for the people of God. The Sacrament represents Christ, broken through the Crucifixion, sacrificed for all of humanity yet given freely for our redemption.
Remember Me. We are called to remember that which Christ bestowed upon us, an act of God's grace, the outward and visible sign which we take unto ourselves so that we may...remember.
After the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, the Altar is stripped of the linens and everything is removed from the chancel. The candles are extinguished and removed, including the sanctuary lamp. The light is gone as are the appointments. What we are left with is an empty apse. The moment is intense for we know what happens next. This sets the stage for Gethsemane and Golgotha.
As we celebrate Maundy Thursday, let us remember this is the day that Christ gave us elements of bread and wine for a purpose. It is through the Holy Sacrament that we are called to partake in the full ministry of Christ, as believers, as followers. It is in this bread and this wine, this body and this blood that we are restored, healed and delivered.
Let us pray:
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
There are several elements that take place on this day in the Scriptures in the final moments in the life of our Savior. These moments are acted out in our worship services. The most important act is that of his instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus had gathered with his followers for one last time prior to the crucifixion in a place called the upper room, which was more like a loft. They shared a meal together. When they finished their meal, Jesus took a piece of bread and said to them, metaphorically, that "This is my body given for you, when you eat of it, remember me." Then he took a cup of wine and said similar words "This is my blood given for you, when drink this, remember me."
Can you imagine what it was like sitting there listening to those words? Can you imagine the confusion of His followers trying to grasp what the Master was saying? When we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, we present the bread and the wine as "gifts," as we say "Here, O Lord, we present these gifts of bread and wine..." The bread and the wine are indeed gifts. They are gifts of God for the people of God. The Sacrament represents Christ, broken through the Crucifixion, sacrificed for all of humanity yet given freely for our redemption.
Remember Me. We are called to remember that which Christ bestowed upon us, an act of God's grace, the outward and visible sign which we take unto ourselves so that we may...remember.
After the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, the Altar is stripped of the linens and everything is removed from the chancel. The candles are extinguished and removed, including the sanctuary lamp. The light is gone as are the appointments. What we are left with is an empty apse. The moment is intense for we know what happens next. This sets the stage for Gethsemane and Golgotha.
As we celebrate Maundy Thursday, let us remember this is the day that Christ gave us elements of bread and wine for a purpose. It is through the Holy Sacrament that we are called to partake in the full ministry of Christ, as believers, as followers. It is in this bread and this wine, this body and this blood that we are restored, healed and delivered.
Let us pray:
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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