Maundy Thursday. Our evening of worship begins with an Agape Meal, best described, I think, as Seder for Christians. It's a simple prayerful meal of finger food. Christ and His disciples had their Supper on this evening. After the meal, the congregants walk over to the Sanctuary (I miss this part of the evening because the choir sings and we have to prepare and warm up.) The service itself is called "Tenebrae". This is the night when Jesus was already in the shadow of the Cross, Judas' betrayal, and in what was probably a Passover meal, the institution of the Eucharist or Communion; Jesus breaking the bread and pouring the wine, saying "Do this in remembrance of Me." Tenebrae is from the Latin word for darkness or shadow. The service is a recognition and in a very small way an experience of Christ's suffering. Communion is served. There's no standard or ritual for this service and it varies from church to church and we even vary it year to year. The only standard we've observed is the service being in candle light. There are eight or nine large candles in the front of the sanctuary. As a verse is read a candle is extinguished, and the room gets darker and darker. At the end, only one candle, that representing Christ is left burning. As it gets darker in the room with each candle going out, we reflect on the shadow of the Cross, the physical and emotional pain, and the sacrifice made for us. It's a sad sad ceremony, and at the end, we file out prayerfully and silently.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Maundy Thursday Observances
A year ago I wrote about Holy Week here. Today is Maundy Thursday, and this is its meaning and how we observe it in our church.
Maundy Thursday. Our evening of worship begins with an Agape Meal, best described, I think, as Seder for Christians. It's a simple prayerful meal of finger food. Christ and His disciples had their Supper on this evening. After the meal, the congregants walk over to the Sanctuary (I miss this part of the evening because the choir sings and we have to prepare and warm up.) The service itself is called "Tenebrae". This is the night when Jesus was already in the shadow of the Cross, Judas' betrayal, and in what was probably a Passover meal, the institution of the Eucharist or Communion; Jesus breaking the bread and pouring the wine, saying "Do this in remembrance of Me." Tenebrae is from the Latin word for darkness or shadow. The service is a recognition and in a very small way an experience of Christ's suffering. Communion is served. There's no standard or ritual for this service and it varies from church to church and we even vary it year to year. The only standard we've observed is the service being in candle light. There are eight or nine large candles in the front of the sanctuary. As a verse is read a candle is extinguished, and the room gets darker and darker. At the end, only one candle, that representing Christ is left burning. As it gets darker in the room with each candle going out, we reflect on the shadow of the Cross, the physical and emotional pain, and the sacrifice made for us. It's a sad sad ceremony, and at the end, we file out prayerfully and silently.
Maundy Thursday. Our evening of worship begins with an Agape Meal, best described, I think, as Seder for Christians. It's a simple prayerful meal of finger food. Christ and His disciples had their Supper on this evening. After the meal, the congregants walk over to the Sanctuary (I miss this part of the evening because the choir sings and we have to prepare and warm up.) The service itself is called "Tenebrae". This is the night when Jesus was already in the shadow of the Cross, Judas' betrayal, and in what was probably a Passover meal, the institution of the Eucharist or Communion; Jesus breaking the bread and pouring the wine, saying "Do this in remembrance of Me." Tenebrae is from the Latin word for darkness or shadow. The service is a recognition and in a very small way an experience of Christ's suffering. Communion is served. There's no standard or ritual for this service and it varies from church to church and we even vary it year to year. The only standard we've observed is the service being in candle light. There are eight or nine large candles in the front of the sanctuary. As a verse is read a candle is extinguished, and the room gets darker and darker. At the end, only one candle, that representing Christ is left burning. As it gets darker in the room with each candle going out, we reflect on the shadow of the Cross, the physical and emotional pain, and the sacrifice made for us. It's a sad sad ceremony, and at the end, we file out prayerfully and silently.
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