Tonight begins the three day liturgy of Holy Week called the “Triduum”.

What we begin tonight will be continued through Good Friday and Holy Saturday until Easter Sunday. This is one story, even though it is told over several days. It’s the story of The Basin and Towel—The Bread and the Wine—The Cup—The Crown. The Blessing is omitted until the Easter Resurrection is announced.

Maundy Thursday gains its name…

…from the Latin word mandatum, referring to the new command Christ gave on this night to “love one another as I have loved you.” Several events take place on this night which reflect the nature of the love Jesus commanded. First, Jesus acted out His call to love by displaying His servanthood through the washing of the disciples’ feet. Second, Jesus set apart bread and wine to be His body and blood, vehicles of His forgiving love. Finally, Jesus goes to the Garden where He will be betrayed and led away to suffer and die—all out of love for us.