[Transcript of video]

           A Maundy Thursday Reflection for 2023

Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay

Hello, I am Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay and I bring you greetings from Edinburgh, Scotland.

Brené Brown says, “Vulnerability is the willingness to show up and share your authentic self while knowing that you have no control over the outcome of your interactions.”

This day we mark Maundy Thursday – observed in different ways around the Globe depending on your church’s traditions. 

But for the most part this celebration will involve the sharing of food or a meal. 

This day marks the end of the 40 day period of Lent which started on Ash Wednesday. 

The word Maundy comes from a Latin word that means command. 

This is because it refers to the instructions Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper. 

It was also the time that Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34)

Still today such a powerful and radical instruction - as it was when it was said all that time ago.

I want to go back however to the instruction or command that Jesus gave his disciples prior to them all gathering in the upper room for the meal that we all recognise and know as the Last Supper.

Jesus said “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” (Mark 14:13-15)

Jerusalem would have been very busy and crowd with people gathering for the Passover. A man carrying water would have been very visible and obvious as it was the tradition at that time for women to carry water. 

So even before getting to the upper room Jesus choose to break from the norm. Jesus chose a gender non-conforming individual, a queer individual, a trans sibling to show the disciples the way. 

The way which led to the meal that has been shared in Christian communities for centuries. The meal we share today.

This is a meal of liberation and freedom. 

A meal of love and compassion.

A meal that we can come to just as we are with all our vulnerabilities – our true authentic selves, knowing that we need not leave anything outside the door of the upper room. 

We are all welcome at this table. This is an open table. We just have to be willing to show up.

“This is my body which is broken open for you. Eat and remember me.”

“This is my life poured out for you. Drink and remember me.”

Amen