No Foolin’!
April Fools’ Day! Maundy Thursday, which falls on April 1, signals the beginning of the Easter Triduum, a time that marks the transition between the seasons of Lent and Easter. These three days – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil – call us to reflect on God’s love through Jesus for all the world.
April Fools’ Day’s origin doesn’t go back to Biblical times (somewhere between the late 1300s and the early 1500s). However, the disciples responded to Jesus’ action of washing their feet after the Upper Room meal as if Jesus was playing a joke on them.
Jesus was not a jokester. This action, something a Gentile servant did for the guests of the household owner, a wife did for her husband, children did for their parents, or disciples did for their teacher, caught the disciples off guard. This decisive action by Jesus, the one who knew that the Father had put all things into his hands (John 13:3) “now takes his disciples’ feet into his hands to wash them.” (Augustine). Simon Peter didn’t get it even after questioning Jesus and then requesting his whole body to be washed. Jesus even washed Judas’ feet.
Jesus has set an example – to do as he has done. He gave us a new commandment to love one another. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another … everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” That was Jesus’ “mic drop.”
What would our world look like if we loved one another? We’ve seen so much hate and division among people in our country and worldwide, especially during this past year, let alone over the decades and centuries. Jesus wasn’t kidding when he gave us this new command – two millenniums ago!
The Triduum continues through Good Friday and then the Easter Vigil. We then celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection as he conquered sin and death for you, me, and the world.
During the coming weeks in the Easter season, reflect on this command from Jesus. Look at your life and see where you fall short. Repent and hear the words of forgiveness in the resurrection of Christ. Have a Blessed Easter!
Pastor Tim