What better way to start the day than with a photo of the queen, who turns 93 on Easter Sunday, distributing Maundy money this morning (English time) during Royal Maundy services at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.
As part of that annual Holy Week service, the queen distributes Maundy money --- ceremonial alms --- to retirees from across the empire to honor volunteer service to their communities. I can think of dozens in Chariton who would quality as recipients if (a) we still were part of the empire or (b) if my yellow hat weren't in such deplorable condition.
Maundy Thursday, as it is termed in the Anglican Communion, has a variety of other names in other traditions, but the rites and rituals associated with it involve commemoration of the Last Supper. Foot-washing generally is a part of services (voluntary, not mandatory). We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. today at St. Andrew's, then after the liturgy strip the altar and veil the crosses and crucifixes in preparation for the solemnities of Good Friday and Holy Saturday that precede the joy of Resurrection and renewal on Easter morning.
"Maundy" is derived from the Latin "mandatum," the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another."), a directive attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of St. John by which he explained to the apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.
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