Lent Practices – Maundy Thursday – 3.29.2018

THEME:Subtracting Distraction, Gaining Jesus

BREATH PRAYER: Jesus, keep me centered at the foot of the cross.

CENTERING:

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

SETTLING IN:

• In a journal, note the day, time, and place you’re sitting.
• Open with silence. Set a timer for 1, 3, or 5 minutes so you can be free to rest and breathe deeply.
• Complete the following sentence in your journal: Today, I feel ________________.
• Read the centering verse above slowly (aloud or silently).
• Pause for a few moments of silence, then pray this week’s breath prayer.

PRACTICE:
SERVICE

Read the centering verses above, placing yourself in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples. Note the detail John gives, as if he’s watching and recording Jesus’ every move.

Imagine having your feet washed by your Teacher and Mentor. How does it feel to have Jesus wash your feet? How does the water feel on your toes? Imagine the water rolling off your feet, the texture of the towel, and the water after a long day of walking. What are you thinking as you look down toward your feet?

Jesus says, “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” What comes to mind as you read those words? What emotions arise?

How do you feel about serving others?

What about doing tasks no one else wants to do?

How do you feel about allowing yourself to be served?

How does allowing yourself to be served relate to loving one another?

What is a simple way you can serve someone today? Make it a silent act of service, letting as few people as possible know that you have done the serving.

Summary: Write in your journal a brief summary (five sentences or less) of your practice.

Closing: Jesus, keep me centered at the foot of the cross.