Focal shelf
This evening is the beginning of the Triduum or Great Three Days. Can you find a jug and a towel to place on your focal table? What about a bottle or cup of wine and some bread (any kind)? These are the two key symbols for this day. In John’s gospel, the Last Supper involves footwashing. In the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke) the last supper has the familiar story of Jesus sharing bread and wine with his friends.

Today, you may find it helpful to do a ritual at two different meals, or one at the start and one at the end of your meal.

 A Ritual of Washing
To begin with, you will need a bowl of hot soapy water and a towel. You may feel brave enough to wash the feet of others in your household, or else to wash each other’s hands, or to wash your own hands. Whatever you choose, take some time to enjoy the sensation of water against your skin. We are all washing our hands more often at the moment, so perhaps this is also a good reminder of why we are washing hands – because of love for our neighbours.

 Before washing, you might say:

 This is the night when Christ took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet,
showing us how to honour and serve one another in love.
In this act of washing, we recall whose servants we are 
and remember his teaching: that what is done for us is also to be done for others.

You could read this narrative from John’s gospel before or after you wash.

 John 13:1-20
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Satan had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’

You could use this prayer at the meal or at another time:

Jesus, our friend, you show us by example how to love others.
Today as we celebrate Maundy Thursday,
and remember when you washed the feet of your disciples,
give us the strength to wash each other’s feet,
not only in the ritual moment of today,
but in all moments of our lives.
May we recommit ourselves to the service of others,
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Memorial of The Last Supper

At your meal, you could place some bread and wine in a prominent position – it’s OK to eat it, that’s what it’s there for! You might also place an empty cup or wine glass. The empty cup can be a symbol of our grief at not being able to gather for the Eucharist for the time being.

 Read the following account from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, and allow time for silent reflection:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Here is a prayer to use at the end of your meal

Come Holy Spirit,
and unite us with Christian people 
throughout the world and across the centuries
who gather to share in the Eucharist, 
hearing from the scriptures 
and receiving the precious body and blood of Christ.
Though in this present time
we are unable to taste the bread of heaven and drink the cup of salvation,
unite us with all the baptised and with your son who gave his life for us. 
Fill us with the presence of Christ,
and strengthen us for the days ahead. Amen.