One of the disheartening things about death is that the person who is dying
rarely has the opportunity to gather together with all of their beloved family and
friends before they become the dearly departed. We gather later in remembrance
at the wake, the funeral or the memorial service. The season of Lent reminds us
that Jesus’ crucifixion is drawing near, and as the Paschal Triduum begins, we
have the opportunity to begin our collective mourning before His death with a
Maundy Thursday service. The service at St. Timothy’s includes a shared meal
with communion followed by the stripping of the altar.
Maundy Thursday is a remembrance of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples.
They knew it was the last gathering before the crucifixion and the last Passover that He would attend with His disciples. When we join Jesus at the table, we have the opportunity to confess our shortcomings as they are reflected back to us when Jesus calls out to his beloved inviting the doubtful, the fearful, the cautious, the jealous, the privileged and anyone in between. It is a commemoration of Jesus’ commandment “That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). The congregation at St. Timothy demonstrates this love for one another by sharing with and serving each other during the meal. The meal includes a communion service to commemorate the sacrament of Holy Communion, initiated by Jesus for the first time at the Last Supper.
The meal is followed by a silent procession to the sanctuary for the stripping of the altar. It is a brief but solemn service. The stripping of the altar represents both the disciples abandoning Jesus and the soldiers stripping Jesus of his garments before the crucifixion. This portion of the service sets the tone of the Paschal Triduum as we move to the crucifixion on Good Friday and mourning the absence of Jesus the following day.
The hymn “Build a Longer Table” echoes the commandment shared by Jesus at
the Last Supper. The lyrics remind us to gather together making room for all,
feeding those who hunger and that gathering together turns strangers into friends. Coming together at the table with our friends at St. Timothy for the Maundy Thursday service, as Christ invited us to His table, is an opportunity for worship, to build community and serves as a solemn reminder of our approaching
salvation. We are all invited to Jesus’ table. The Maundy Thursday service is a
beautiful and meaningful opportunity to honor His sacrifice as the Paschal
Triduum begins. We would love for you to join us and bring a friend. We hope to
see you around the table.
