The Last Supper, Ugolino di Nerio
The arguments of the past several days – in court, on social media, among friends and family – have given new meaning to “Passion Week”. But this is Maundy Thursday and my focus is on the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. Jesus was the host at that Passover meal: he washed the feet of his followers, and served them at the table. My Lord broke bread with his betrayer, Judas; with his denier, Peter; with the “friends” who would sleep when he needed comfort and run when he was facing death. Yet Jesus still ate with them, prayed with them, sang a hymn with them. And over that meal Jesus gave them a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”.
It is easy in the heat of the moment to see friends as opponents, and opponents as enemies. Today I am reminded that Jesus, my Savior and my God, has no enemies. The cross was his definitive act on behalf of those who stood in opposition to him, a message communicated in that final meal: “This is my body, broken for you….this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Even in the middle of our failures Jesus is calling us to reconciliation and love, taking the cost on himself. He is our gracious host as we come to his table – motley, rancorous crew that we are.
This Maundy Thursday I pray for the grace to follow Jesus. God has no enemies. I have no enemies.
Strange Figures 