28.3.08
[Backposting] Maundy Thursday.
Just attended Maundy Thursday, which is not normally held in my home church, and hence I've never experienced it before. It's a Jewish practice, but my local church here embraces it anyway, as a time of remembrance and fellowship. It was definitely interesting for me, with Pastor Derek involving me in any small way he can.
On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' Feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.
We all sat down at the table and had a few things as a church that night:
Hard boiled egg - symbol of the suffering and oppression in Egypt. Everything else in boiling water becomes soft or disintegrates. But an egg becomes hard, like the Israelites. The more it is boiled, the harder it becomes. An egg also symbolizes New Life.
Roasted shankbone of lamb - a reminder of the Lamb that was sacrificed to save our lives.
Bitter herbs (horseradish) - a reminder that the Israelites were servants to slavery.
Greens (parsley, celery) - symbol of coming of Spring which brings hope.
Salt water - a reminder of the tears the Israelites cried in Egypt.
Haroset - nut, apple, cinnamon, wine mixture which has the appearance of straw in remembrance of the mortar used to build the Treasure Cities for Pharaoh. It is symbolic of the hope of freedom that enabled ancestors to withstand the bitterness of slavery.
Matzah - the unleavened bread symbolized the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.
After the reading of passages from Exodus and Matthew during the breaking of bread and drinking of wine, we also performed the servantly task of cleaning each other's feet. Under no other circumstances would I have imagined myself cleaning someone else's feet, but I'm sure the person whose feet I cleaned felt really special :) I definitely did, when the pastor cleaned my feet. In addition, his words struck me as he said to me while performing the task, "Xin Yi, for someone who's going to be serving others all her life, it's wise to realise how Jesus served." That's a pretty high calling to reach, almost scary to think of. But I felt really touched when he added, "And how did He do it? By always remembering to draw strength from God." So that makes 2 things to work toward :) Hopefully I'd remember it for life, especially when I start work. If not, reminders are always welcomed :)
i fluttered by;
3:12 PM
