Dear friends
Today is Maundy Thursday and on this day, we think of Jesus’ last meal.
Meals played a very important part in the life of the Mediterranean culture of Jesus’ day. It was a declaration of your status/position and you only ate with people of the same status as yours or people that had the same views. They were shocked when Jesus announced at the very beginning of the meal that someone in the room will betray him – something like this never happened! In Mark’s Gospel Jesus does not reveal who it would be. He allows the suspense to hang in the air.
Jesus follows the practice of the usual “Pascha” meal that is recorded in Exodus 12 and gave it a new meaning. The word “pesach” that means turn away, is the origin of the greek word “Pascha”. It was clear to all that this last meal was not a typical Passover meal.
Jesus practiced what He preached. He came and showed God’s plan for humanity. A plan which included rather than excluded. His love was meant for everyone – the “strange man” who carried the water jar and took the disciples to the house where the last meal took place (Mark 14:13), and the rich man who provided a room for His last supper. He even had His enemy at his table. Although He knew that someone would betray Him, He did not expose Judas at this occasion.
And He gave them and us the hope of inheriting the eternal kingdom of God through the new covenant that was sealed by his blood.
And ever since the last supper of Jesus, believers came together and remembered what Jesus did a long time ago. The only way we can keep our “memories” real is when we live and act in the way Jesus showed us. We need to re-enact His deeds of love – to all people.
If you can find the time today, why don’t you make your own unleavened bread. Here is the recipe:
Preheat your oven at 2300 C, grease baking sheet and dust with cake flour
Ingredients:
- 160 ml ice water
- 60 ml olive oil
- 2 cups of flour
- Pinch of salt
Method:
- Mix water and olive oil.
- Sift flour and salt together.
- Mix it all together until a dough is formed.
- Let it rest now for 15 minutes.
- Roll dough into a flat loaf and put onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until lightly browning along the edges, 10 to 15 minutes.
May you have a blessed Communion, remembering what Jesus did for you!
All my best regards,
André