This is the day the church began

Any time we count as the formation day of Israel, arguably, could be the day the church was founded. Pentecost is often celebrated as the birthday of the church (including by me once with a birthday cake and candles, a spark from one burning a small hole in my alb)! But how about Maundy Thursday as the day the church began?

According to the gospels, the four of which, along with 1 Corinthians 11, make for interesting variations when we read their accounts of the Last Supper side by side, Jesus:

- laid down some rules and regulations concerning future 'post-Jesus' leadership

- gave the central commandment of Christian worship, 'Do this in memory of me'.

So, possibly, today is the day the Lord made the church!

I love the services through 'The Three Great Days' (or, for Latin speaking Christians, Triduum). In some ways the Holy Thursday evening remembrance, even re-enactment of the Last Supper of our Lord, is my favourite. (See here, Wednesday 8 April, 2009, and scroll downwards to A Very Difficult Dinner Party, for a reflection on Maundy Thursday services).