Do This In Remembrance Of Me
Our last moments together…
I've been thinking about people who survive tragic society changing moments. As we journey through this time of societal strain impacting our health, our jobs, our economics, and even our production my mind has wondered how many who survived WWII are still with us? What wisdom could they share about navigating the weight of reality with the necessity for hope and a belief for a better tomorrow?
The world has been changed by many large events, and many societies across the world have been changed by smaller events. People were changed and came out on the other side of the Great Depression, WWII and Korea and Vietnam, the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK, September 11th, and many more I'm failing to mention. With each event, sudden or drawn out across years, people find ways to weather the trauma and remember hope will carry them through until tomorrow.
I cannot imagine the energy in the upper room when Jesus and his closest friends gathered together for the Passover meal. They were sharing food and practicing their faith; acts that were foundational to their relationships and character. And yet, this meal was unlike any they had ever had before. It was a Passover gathering unique unto itself. Much like our dinners tonight; we have never had a Maundy Thursday like this before.
Perhaps it is presumptive to assume, but I imagine each of you washed your hands before sitting down to your dinner. As you drank your beverage and enjoyed your food, you may have even enjoyed a story or two reflecting on your day. Like Jesus and Judas and Peter and Mary, water was used to cleanse the body and remembering occurred.
Jesus knew this was his last meal. It was his last opportunity to impart his teachings upon disciples who had been so hard-headed. He wanted them to know that being a follower of Jesus meant a life of service to and for the other. He wanted them to know that being a follower of Jesus meant extending care and breaking bread with everyone, EVERYONE, even those who have chosen to betray us. He wanted them to know that they were called and ordained to not only practice what he taught them but to teach others, to be the people who teach others to love God with all their heart, mind, body, and strength and to love their neighbor as themself. He wanted them to know that no matter what transpired over the next few days, he would be with them with each cup of wine and each bite of bread and any time two or three were gathered in his name.
I imagine Jesus was anxious at a meal that felt commonplace to his friends gathered around the table. He knew he was experiencing his last moments with them; he knew they would come out on the other side of the weekend forever changed, and yet he knew this night would be recognized as that point in history when the narrative took a change no one but Jesus saw coming.
In the midst of loss, in the midst of change, in the midst of routine and monotony...each of these moments resonates with the last gathering of Jesus with his friends and family in the Upper Room celebrating their faith through a Passover meal. Regardless where you find yourself this evening, may you know your story is an invitation to remember Jesus, to remember his teachings, and to remember his grace extends to you now and forevermore. May you receive this as a message of hope for a new tomorrow.