Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word mandatum, command. It was so named because of Jesus’ words to his disciples on this night: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
On the first Maundy Thursday, Christ instituted Holy Communion. This precious sacrament both gives us the forgiveness of our sins and grants Christ’s Church the power to carry out his command to love one another. As we gather around Christ’s Word and Sacrament in this service, may our faith in his love be renewed and may he empower us to love one another as his disciples.