IMAGINE IF YOU were sitting down to your last meal with dear friends. How would you feel? What would you say to them?
Jesus faced this scenario on Maundy Thursday as he gathered with his 12 disciples for a final Passover meal before his death by crucifixion the next day. Had it been me, I would have been terrified at the thought of such an agonizing death.
Christ showed incredible strength. He managed to continue teaching, loving, forgiving, even as the time of his death approached. He was certainly troubled, as Scripture tells us. I mean, how could he not be bothered, knowing that one of his disciples would betray him, with a kiss of all things? I would feel devastated.
But Jesus is not anyone. He embodies love. And he tells us to love. Correction, he commands his disciples (and us, too) to love each other. He says: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).
As I consider all the division and hatred among us today, I focus on Christ and his example of unconditional love. Throughout his earthly life, Jesus continually showed compassion and care, often to the downtrodden, the outcasts, the lowly. I’m quite certain if he was physically walking on this earth today, he would still be showing such mercy.
He’d also be greatly disappointed, even upset, about the way we sometimes treat each other.
So what’s the point here? Maundy Thursday marks a monumental day for reflection. For change. For striving to follow Christ’s directive to love one another. And that starts with each of us. Today.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Lovely post, Audrey.
Thank you, Beth Ann. I could have written much more about Maundy Thursday, but had to narrow the focus lest I write a lengthy sermon.
“Had it been me, I would have been terrified at the thought of such an agonizing death.” Yes, I think any human being would be. But that’s where faith comes in. It helps us mere mortals endure the unendurable. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Thank you for adding this important Scripture and focus on faith to this post. Faith has carried me through many difficult days.
Thank you for this reflection. Love always wins.
Yes, it does!
Today would be the perfect day to see Jesus’ greatest commandment spread all over the world. Love One Another. Thank you for sharing these posts of encouragement. They uplift us and put our minds and hearts onto better, more thoughtful, kind and loving things.
I HAVE to find the good in all the bad that is happening. And, yes, that we would all try to follow Jesus’ directive to love one another.
Audrey, I never knew that term for the Thursday before Easter. I always learn so much from you.
I cannot even imagine knowing what it would feel like to know that I was sharing my last meal with dear friends and what I would say to them. It makes me sad to read and see what people have twisted the words of Jesus into and hide their bad actions behind what they say are his teachings.Everything I know of Jesus and have learned about him and who he was and taught were led by compassion, kindness, empathy, acceptance of everyone, and love.
Randy, who grew up Catholic, said he always knew Maundy Thursday as Holy Thursday. Maundy is a short version of a Latin word meaning “command.” That references Jesus’ new command to “love one another.” I feel the same as you about people twisting and misusing Scripture to “justify” their words and actions today. I could cite example after example. I stood next to an atheist at a recent protest and we had this very conversation about Christian Nationalism.
yes, I was raised Catholic as well and that’s how I remember it too. It was especially upsetting to see a clip on the news yesterday at the annual Easter lunch, with Trump’s White House faith leader comparing him to Jesus and saying he was the most spiritual/religious leader they’ve ever had.
I had not heard that comment by Trump’s faith leader, but have heard similar reports about him and then the statements Hegseth has made. This should appall anyone, Christian or not, but especially Christians. No one should ever compare themselves to Jesus or pray/call for violence and death (Hegseth and Trump on the war in Iran).
I encourage you to follow (and subscribe to) “Vote Common Good,” based in Minneapolis and a faith-based organization doing good work throughout the country. Here’s the link: https://www.votecommongood.com/
thanks, Audrey, I’ve signed up, that’s a great suggestion –
You’re welcome. I appreciate the insights I receive in emails from Vote Common Good. This organization is doing important work on the ground.