It was the time of the Passover -- an 8 day festival to celebrate the release of the captives from Egypt. Ancient stories of faith were retold.
Maundy Thursday has grown out of that Festival and our ancient stories are told.
The word Maundy comes from the Latin Mandatum novum which means “a new commandment”. We remember how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of how to build a community of servanthood. We remember how Jesus took an old and treasured story of his faith and added a new chapter to it, changing perceptions and meaning to make space for God in a new way. The new commandment that he gave to us through this story is that we are to love each other as Jesus loved us.
This year, we are simply invited to focus on the teaching of servanthood. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the humility we are to offer each other.