Today is Maundy Thursday and we have another poem for you. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at some of the events that took place that Thursday before the crucifixion and at the meaning behind the word “maundy.”
On that Thursday evening, Jesus celebrated a final Passover meal with his disciples. This is known as the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:17-30)
Afterward, he washed the feet of his disciples. (John 13:4-20) This was a sort of hands-on lesson for them about the importance of service and humility. Jesus explained that “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Another bit of wisdom that Jesus shared with his disciples that evening was the new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) This is where the word “maundy” came from. It is a derivation of the Latin word mandatum which means “commandment.”
The rest of the evening is a series of sad events. (Matthew 26:36-68) Jesus weeps and prays in the garden of Gethsemane. He is betrayed by Judas and arrested. He is put on trial before the Sanhedrin. They find him guilty of blasphemy. They beat him and curse him and tell him he should be put to death. Death will ultimately become his punishment, but that will be covered tomorrow in the Good Friday post. In the meantime, let’s look at a poem for Maundy Thursday.
Since Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in water and Jesus is known as the source of “living water,” I thought this poem called “Thirst” would be appropriate. It was written by Fredrika Bremer, a 19th century Swedish author. The poem describes the “thirst” the poet has for something greater than she, something pure and strong. I don’t want to give too much away, however, so I’ll let you look at this classic poem and draw your own conclusions about it.
Thirst
By Fredrika Bremer
“I Thirst ! — O, grant the waters pure,
Which flowed by Eden’s rosy bower;
The glorious, fresh, and silver stream,
The ever young, whose flashing gleam
Once before angel footsteps rolled;
Whose sands were wisdom’s priceless gold.
“I thirst! — O bounteous source of Truth,
Give coolness to my fevered youth;
Make the sick heart more strong and wise;
Take spectral visions from mine eyes;
O, let me quench my thirst in thee,
And pure, and strong, and holy be!
“I thirst! — O God, great Source of Love!
Infinite Life streams from above.
O, give one drop, and let me live!
The barren world has nought to give;
No solace have its streams for me;
I thirst alone for heaven and thee.”
* * *
I don’t know about you, but I think that the “thirst” described in this Maundy Thursday poem is something that we can all identify with. 😉
Tomorrow, we look at Good Friday and a source of consolation for our sorrows. I look forward to seeing you there.