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The Paschal Meal by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy Maundy Thursday commemorates two events in Jesus' ministry that happened simultaneously. At the last supper, which the synoptic gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke say was a Passover Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist by shifting the words of the rite of the symbolic dinner. At the same time, he did something unexpected in washing his disciples' feet. Both actions are highly significant. Indeed, in John's gospel - written at the end of the 1st century - the Eucharist was so routine in the life of the Church that the gospel writer assumes its existence and the story of the institution at the "Last Supper" is omitted from the gospel and the foot washing alone is chronicled. Some have observed that if we only had John's gospel, Christians would engage in the ritual of foot washing Sunday by Sunday rather than sharing bread and wine in a symbolic meal. Each year the church has to decide which of these actions to emphasize in the choice of which gospel reading to have read. Each year we have the choice of which action to emphasize in the choice of which symbolic action to imitate. In years past, we have washed one another's feet. Admittedly, of all the celebrations of Holy Week, this worship experience is the most intimate and the least well attended. Some three years ago, rather than simply reading the Gospel Narrative about the Last Supper (e.g. Mark 14:12-26), we chose to celebrate an interpretative meal of what a Passover Supper in the first century might have been like, along with a narrative instruction about what Jesus did during the supper. Those who attended the supper found it to be wonderfully moving and educational in placing what we do Sunday by Sunday in a cultural and religious context of first century Judaism. We are planning for a supper again this year. For those who were not with us, it should be said that this is a highly structured meal, much more like a liturgy than a pot luck. There are parts to be played and words to be read by those seated at table, and it is a fairly leisurely meal which takes some time to go through. That's not a disclaimer, but those attending should be prepared to commit to a good two hour dining experience. Following dinner, those who wish to will be invited to come upstairs for a brief liturgy in the sanctuary which commemorates the other event of that night in Jesus' life: the journey to the Garden of Gethsemane. Cut flowers are appropriate to bring to create in the Chapel a Garden, although know that we will not sit for an hour having spent such a long evening in the Paschal Meal Celebration. Every time I have done this meal, it has been a sell out and people often want to bring friends to this special occasion. Tickets will be available in the bookstore at $10.00 for adults and older children. This meal, by its very nature, is not appropriate for young children who can not sit for a long time in quietness. We regret that babysitting will not be available here on the campus. I encourage you to make this special meal a part of your Lenten observation this Holy Week by coming yourself, by bringing your middle school or older children or arranging childcare if needed, and bringing a guest if you would like. The Paschal Meal will be offered on Thursday, March 24th, 2005 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available in the bookstore.
Copyright © 2005 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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