Thursday before Easter, commonly called Maundy Thursday- I Corinthians 11

 The Thursday before Easter has several associations in the New Testament and has had other associations in church history. For most Christians, the central point is the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or Eucharist. The Epistle from I Corinthians 11: 23-26 highlights the basic acts and meaning of this event. By sharing in this Holy Sacrament, we show forth the Lord's death till He comes again, and we share in His body and His blood given to save us. We commune with Christ and with fellow believers.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer added a collect of the day based on phrases from Scripture and other parts of the Prayer Book:

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

This prayer is both a succinct reminder of the important nature of Holy Communion and a prayerful request that we may approach and receive the Sacrament with appropriate attitudes. This central act of Christian worship is more than a dead memory of a night long ago. It is a living participation in the Body and Blood of Christ (I Corinthians 10:16-17), and it is a foretaste of eternal life in His heavenly kingdom. We should be thoughtful and seek to appreciate the Sacrament with our best human understanding. Nevertheless, we should always be aware that these "holy mysteries" transcend particular human thoughts and theologies. Whatever our theories, it is the Lord Jesus who still comes to be with us and to offer us His grace. He does so in these mysteries that He established. He is the Savior who gave Himself for us long ago and who will come again in glory  Thanks be to God!

Thursday before Easter, commonly called Maundy - I Corinthians 11

All the days of Holy Week remind Christians of Jesus' Passion and Death,  but Maundy Thursday is primarily for the commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. The Epistle in the BCP is from I Corinthians 11 and contains St. Paul's version of Christ's words of institution.  Theologians may discuss these words and their meanings, but on this day, we should sense that the Lord's Supper goes beyond academic discussions. Rather, these simple words are about the heart of Christian worship and devotion. The Eucharist focuses on the work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. It points us to His continuing offer of forgiveness and grace, and to our need for humble faith in His presence with us, especially as He comes to us through His Supper. "Let us give thanks unto our Lord God."

Septuagesima- Matthew 20, I Corinthians 9

This Sunday is Septuagesima (the Latin word for "Seventy). On the traditional calendar of the Western Church, it is the beginning of the Pre-Lenten season which consists of three Sundays. This semi-penitential season developed in the Middle Ages extends the preparation for Easter.

In the Epistle from I Corinthians 9, St. Paul makes an athletic comparison from ancient Greco-Roman culture that is certainly still appropriate. If people are willing to expend so much effort for physical training, they should not expect less effort in spiritual training. After all, the goal of spiritual training is much higher; it is worth incomparably more than any athletic prize. 

Despite the need for spiritual discipline, in the Parable of the Laborers or Workers from St. Matthew 20, our Lord also teaches us that the kingdom of heaven is not centered on our human efforts. The kingdom is God-centered, and He transcends human understanding. God is free to do as He chooses and is gracious beyond measure. Any reward from Him is really a gift that is not earned, and He is free to bestow His gifts as He pleases. He does not owe us anything but gives generously. So while we should not neglect human training and effort, our focus must always remain on God's call and divine graciousness.

Trinity XI- Luke 18: 9-14; I Corinthians 15:1-11

Both the Epistle and the Gospel for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity are especially rich passages. In I Corinthians 15:1-11, St. Paul speaks of two related topics, the core Christian message and his ministry as an Apostle. He affirms that he hands on the message that he received about Jesus Christ. This summary message is a sort of early Christian creed somewhat similar to the second article or section of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. Christ suffered and died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead to be seen by numerous faithful witnesses. And Paul's apostolic ministry proclaims this Christ-centered message through divine grace.

The Gospel from St. Luke 18:9-14 is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector going to the Temple to pray. This parable is a warning against pride and self-righteousness and an encouragement to repentance and humble faith in divine mercy. We should pursue goodness and holiness, but even at our best, we are still sinners who must seek God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Trinity X- Diversities of Gifts- I Corinthians 12: 1-11

This week, in looking over the readings for this Tenth Sunday after Trinity. the Epistle from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 drew my attention. I was struck by the Apostle Paul's insight into both the dangers and the greatness of spirituality. First, the Apostle warns of false spirituality. Sometimes, people talk as if anything that can be called "spirituality" must be good. However, Paul does not make this assumption. On the contrary, he begins this discussion by warning about ignorance and idolatry. There are deformed kinds of spirituality and distorted views of spiritual gifts.

Secondly, St. Paul connects true spirituality to the Lord Jesus Christ. The work and gifts of the Holy Spirit must not be separated from faith centered on the life and work of Jesus. His Lordship brings unity out of human diversity. Serving Him is the factor that gives meaning to the "differences of administrations."

Thirdly, rooted in faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit can use human differences. Rooted in Christ, the Spirit inspires all sorts of good results. Believers in Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit to engage in a variety of activities that continue the work of our Lord in this world. Such gifts range from religious knowledge to human communication to acts of mercy, but it is always the same Lord Jesus and the same Holy Spirit who are the source. 

Maundy Thursday- I Corinthians 11

This Thursday in Holy Week has been called by several names (such as the Thursday before Easter or Holy Thursday), but in the English, the most common name has long been Maundy Thursday, derived from the Latin word mandatum, "command." Although there are several associations for the day, the chief theme is the commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion or the Eucharist. 

The Prayer Book epistle for this day is from I Corinthians 11 and contains St. Paul's version of the words of institution of the Lord's Supper. These simple words are at the heart of Christian worship. Theologians have often discussed these words and disputed their exact meaning.. Although sacramental theology is an important topic, the significance of the Eucharist goes beyond academic discussions. In other words, the place of the Lord's Supper in Christian life has more to do with having faith in Jesus, obeying His words and seeking His grace than with human philosophy.

Some simple affirmations seem clear. First, Jesus Himself began and commanded His disciples to continue this sacred meal. Secondly, He related it to His death that was about to take place for human salvation. Thirdly, this commemoration of His death also points to His grace and living presence among His people through the blessed bread and wine. Fourthly, the Sacrament anticipates that Christ will come again in glory. 

Thus, the Eucharist is not some meaningless ceremony or vague symbolism. It is a concrete affirmation of Christ's living presence in our midst. In this holy Sacrament, Jesus Christ comes to His people, and through bread and wine, He offers us Himself. In this outward way, He keeps offering us His forgiving and strengthening grace.

Advent III- I Corinthians 4: 1-5; Matthew 11: 2-10

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent provides an interesting approach to the themes of the day and the season. It calls upon Christians to continue preparing the way of the Lord. As John did in his ministry at Christ's First Coming, we need to call others- and ourselves- to repent and to prepare hearts for Christ to come among us. Such preparation also looks ahead to Christ's Second Coming to judge the world. We continue to hope that through grace we will be an acceptable people, a people prepared anew each day for our Lord's holy presence.

The Epistle from I Corinthians 4:1-5 brings up the theme of Christian ministry. (This theme is especially appropriate because the Advent Ember Days occur this week.) All Christians are called to ministry or service for Christ, and all too often we forget this, at least in practical daily speech and behavior. Every person baptized has been set aside and transformed in the name of the Holy Trinity. This setting aside for service has a special application to the ordained ministry. The clergy are called to be "stewards of the mysteries of God." These mysteries emphasize the core of Christ's Gospel- from the Annunciation and Nativity to the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. And these mysteries become visible and immediate for us in the concrete sacred mysteries or sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist. So during this Advent, let us pray that all Christians, especially those ordained, may be constantly renewed by divine grace for God's service.

The Gospel from St. Matthew 11:2-10 considers the theme of Christ's Coming by referring to the ministry of John the Baptist. When the imprisoned John sends followers to clarify the mission of Jesus, our Lord responds by citing the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 29:18, 35:5-6, 61:1). Our Lord also speaks of the work of John the Baptist as the Forerunner, the messenger who comes before the Lord to prepare His way (Malachi 3:1). Like John, may we prepare the way of the Lord, especially as Advent draws to a close.