Maundy Thursday Celebrated In Jesus’ Memory

As each religion that exists today manages to keep its traditions amongst the generations that follow them up-to-date, several specific dates are celebrated according to their beliefs. The most common religion in the Occidental world is Christianity, which has its faith in the resurrection of Christ as humanity’s savior.

A Day Of Easter’s Ritual

One of the special dates which are celebrated by Christians is the Easter holiday. The holiday takes four days in a ritual which includes Maundy (or Holy) Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. This period is when Christians believe that Jesus had his last meal with the apostles, which was before his crucifixion.

The word Maundy makes reference to Jesus’ commandment made during the supper, when he demonstrates humility by washing his apostles’ feet before the Passover Meal. It was after that occasion he definitely made his commandment, which said “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). In order to follow Jesus’ steps, the feet-washing turned into a tradition among the clergy.

Where the Maundy Thursday Comes From

The history of Maundy Thursday retells the sequence of events when Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with his allies and was then betrayed by Judas, a fact that which led to his condemnation and crucifixion. Besides the most commonly known tradition of Easter, Maundy Thursday is celebrated by the institution of the three-pillars of the catholic beliefs: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and Mass.

The tradition of sharing bread as Jesus’ flesh and drinking wine as his blood is a way of honoring his sacrifice and has its origin in the Last Supper. As it was Jesus who told his disciples to do so as a way to remember him, the first time the bread and wine were ever shared is what constituted Mass and turned his allies into the first priests.