Today we recall Maundy Thursday, and one of the greatest gifts given to us by Jesus. Jesus is recognised often by taking bread, giving thanks, breaking and sharing. He told us to do the same – to remember him.
“Take and eat, this is my body, do this in remembrance of me…”
The early believers – before even churches were formed, with their man-made rules and regulations, knew this. The first group - 3000 converts after Peter’s talk at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit moved with such power, and his call to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus – met, shared, learnt, praised, prayed and broke bread…
Last summer Camilla was going home to China. She had been keen to learn about our faith. She had not been bought up with this. We talked about the psalms as mood poems – words from the heart – happy or sad. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus. Who is he? What does faith mean? We noted the obvious fact of history. Something extraordinary happened 2000 years ago, told by 12 men; that has lasted until now, when millions of men and women seek to learn. This is why an English-speaking chaplain meets with a mandarin speaking Chinese.
Camilla wanted to do something to remember the year. We met by the lake with other friends, read about this “last supper”, and then shared bread and wine, blessed by prayer as Jesus had shown. We took some each, remembering his words – “do this in remembrance of me” Suddenly the fountain stopped. Silence, a beautiful silence. In that moment we were held. It was so peaceful. I wondered about explaining how the Spirit of God works. This was a God moment. I didn’t. They knew.
The blessing of remembering…
So tonight read again this story. And why not this year take some bread and wine, pray and give thanks, and eat, sharing if you are with others – or maybe over the phone, and remember Jesus.
He asks us to…
Nigel
Respond
