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 13:34-35)

What are we doing here? This night, when we celebrate the archetype of our weekly Eucharistic celebration, is the perfect night to ask that question. What are we doing here? It’s appropriate that we ask it of ourselves, because I guarantee you it’s a question more and more people are asking themselves about us, especially the growing percentage of our population who are “nones” and don’t have any affiliation or experience with a church. And if we are not clear about the answer, how can we blame them for wondering…and wandering?

Tonight, on Maundy Thursday, I think back on those disciples gathered around the table with Jesus on their final Thursday together. I imagine them asking that same question—”What we doing here? We thought we were here to start a revolution—didn’t we just arrive in Jerusalem with Jesus in a triumphal parade, to the sounds of the people shouting, “Hosanna to the King, the son of David?” Isn’t the Messiah supposed to be the new King David, strong and mighty, come to save Israel from its enemies? But now, now, Jesus is saying and doing very confusing things: Jesus is trying to wash our feet; Jesus is saying that, just as he washes our feet, we should follow his servant-example and wash the feet of others.  And Jesus is talking about going away, saying he will only be with us a little longer…What are we doing here?”

I chose the sequence hymn we just sang because I think the words give us the answer to that question. They were written by Anglican priest Percy Dearmer.

What are we doing here? We are creating God’s beloved community. We are here because the Holy Spirit has brought us together—Jesus promised at his ascension that he would not leave us alone, and that he would give us his Holy Spirit to be our guide, comforter, and advocate. We come together knowing that Holy Spirit, which is always with us, is especially present and powerful when we gather at Jesus’ table. And we come seeking healing, like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ robe.

Draw us in the Spirit’s tether,
For when humbly in Thy name,
Two or three are met together
Thou are in the midst of them;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Touch we now Thy garment’s hem.

What are we doing here? We are strengthening our faith and confessing together that we believe the crazy demonstration of God’s self-giving love that begins with Jesus washing his disciples’ feet tonight, that seems to end in shame with his death on the Cross tomorrow, and then shows its his triumph over death at Easter Vigil, is the way of abundant life. What are we doing here? We are experiencing, in this brief time together, ancient things becoming new, as music and poetry and scripture and prayer give us a foretaste of God’s heavenly banquet. What are we doing here? We are meeting Jesus in sacrament and in the faces of each other; we are being forgiven, being renewed, and being equipped to go out to serve and heal a broken world. What are we doing here? We are refusing to let go of resurrection hope, even though it might seem sometimes that darkness and chaos are winning, even though we each pass through our own Good Fridays.

As the brethren used to gather
In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father
Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! So knit O Lord, our friendship up.

What are we doing here? We are following Jesus, disciples, together, journeying on the way to the cross, on the way to resurrection hope. And as disciples, on that journey we are continuing Jesus’ work—We are announcing to the world that the Kingdom of God is at hand; we are demonstrating that God’s presence permeates every moment of our lives; we are doing the sacred work of caring for the vulnerable and finding the lost.

All our meals and all our living
Make as sacraments of Thee,
That by caring, helping, giving
We may true disciples be.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve Thee faithfully.

Jesus, we pray that we can we serve you faithfully, this night, and always.