4 5 2007
Welcome
The word, “Maundy” means “mandate.” The commandment to love one another, to serve one another, is a mandate from God. Just as Jesus Christ is the servant Messiah, we too are to serve one another, not seeking glory or fame, but seeking to follow Christ’s example.
Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about some conflict around the world and in particular, in the Middle East. We don’t often see people loving one another or serving one another. Following Christ’s example is no where to be found.
For tonight, I like to share this story about a soldier in the Israeli army.
One day he was on patrol in an area of occupied Palestine when he felt a rock strike him in the back. Before he had a chance to turn around, another rock had struck him in the shoulder, then another hit his helmet.
He whirled around, his rifle ready to fire. In his sights were several Palestinian children. Children. They were picking up more stones to throw at him. The soldier did not want to fire, but he could not allow them to attack him again.
Suddenly, he had an idea. He bent down and picked up three of the rocks. He picked them up and began to juggle. Yes, juggle. The children were mesmerized and forgot about their stones. The soldier did a few tricks, and the children laughed. Then he did a grand finale, and they applauded. He took a bow and walked away.
No, that soldier did not end the war with his action. But he took what had been hurled as weapons and transformed them into objects of wonder. He took a broken moment and made it whole with the laughter of children. That moment revealed God’s shalom.
It’s not likely that that soldier was a Christian, but he knew something about the peace of God, the same peace we believe Jesus the Christ came to bring us and to give us in his death and resurrection.
Christ took the cross, a tool of torture and death, and transformed it into a symbol of salvation. Christ took death and transformed it into life. Christ took our despair and turned it into hope. He took our sins and juggled them before our eyes that we might forget our hatred and focus on his power and love.
Tonight we go back to where it all began, on this holiest of nights as Jesus shares his last supper with his disciples and gives his final instructions, a foreshadowing of what he is about to go through.
Let us pray.
We have gathered, O God, in answer to your mandate that we love one another as you have loved us in Jesus of Nazareth. We gather as disciples awaiting a word of assurance and promise. We seek protection from all who insist on conformity to their narrow points of view. We seek empowerment at the table of remembrance and celebration. We long to love as we have been loved, to serve as Christ has served among us, to live lives of thanksgiving that fulfill our vows to you and to one another. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Benediction
May we go forth on our journeys.
May we walk through the next hours with confidence and courage.
Even though the darkest moments lie ahead,
may we go forward by the strengthening
and steadying presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
Amen.