Maundy Thursday

here at the kairos house we have been hosting thursday evening potluck meals followed by worship in a sort of folk-liturgical style and a "radical" bible study. "radical" meaning we are trying to get to the roots of our faith, so we can root ourselves more deeply in it (and radical because Christianity is a counter-cultural way of life). currently we are in the midst of a study on the gospel of luke. another way to go deeper into the way of Christ is to join in with the members of Christ's body all over the world in celebrating together particular important days in the Church's calender. days that help us remember and re-focus on the work of our Lord so that we can continue that work of growing his kingdom here and now. western Christianity is in the middle of the most important days of the church's year right now, what is called -Holy Week. this week will lead us through the darkest depths of the crucifixion and to the highest heights of rejoicing because: "Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!"
but first, we prepare for all of that through the experience of Maundy Thursday. here's the basic facts about the day brought to us by wikipedia:

"Maundy Thursday" is the name for this day in England. It is therefore the usual name also in English-speaking Protestant Churches that originated in that country... The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.
On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

we are planning to participate in this day by meeting here at the house (918 S. Sutton) at the normal time (5:30pm) for a potluck meal. then we will carpool over to the jackson first church of the nazarene for a maundy thursday presentation by Jews for Jesus called Christ in the Passover (here's some info on the presentation: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/programs/cip). the roots of the Christian faith are Jewish (Jesus was a Jew of course) and it is extremely important for us to stay connected to our Jewish roots. they have much to teach us about what it means to be the people of God. this will be a great opportunity for exactly that.
may our Lord grant to each of us the grace to be able to love as he loves, -ransom