Maundy, from Mandatum, mandate, and what a pair of commands or rules we're given tonight. The Eucharistic "do this" and "love one another as I have loved you," given at the conclusion of Our Lord washing the apostles' feet. At first glance it might seem that the two orders are discordant or unrelated, but of course they're not.
Christ clearly makes himself present in the Eucharist under the forms of bread and wine, body and blood. In what aspect is he present? Precisely as crucified, "This is my body given for you;" "This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you for the remission of sins." Christ's body and blood, given and shed for us on the Cross.
So, when we make our communions, we enter into union with Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, eating his flesh and drinking His blood that we may have eternal life. "Do this," He says, and we do; was ever, per Dom Gregory Dix, a command so obeyed?
That's the first mandate, the second's like unto it. After His last supper, on the night before He suffered, Christ knelt down and washed his apostles' feet, a prophetic action signifying his crucifixion in which he humbled himself, taking the form of a servant and washed us clean from sin in a supreme act of love. It's this which he commands us to emulate.
When we do, the grace given in the Sacrament of the Altar, the life of Christ sacrificed for us upon the Cross, comes alive in us, as a stream of living water welling up to eternal life.
God bless you all,
LSP
