The Last Sermon [Original Sonnet and Reflections on Maundy Thursday]

Let not your hearts be troubled; do not fear.

At last the time has come––the Son of Man

must leave you soon. That which I say, please hear,

though mystery now. Soon you shall understand.

You may not follow me, for now I go

unto the earth, in death a seed alone.

But fall I must––by perishing, I grow

much fruit, a yield which makes my Father known.

I leave, but I will come again to you,

no longer flesh, but spirit. I will be

a help, a comfort, witness to the truth,

with you until you dwell again with me.

To you I speak these words that you, my friends,

might in me know love, joy, peace without end.

Holy Week this year looks different, no question. Normally I would be attending a Good Friday service tomorrow to remember the death of Christ and an Easter one on Sunday to celebrate His resurrection. Though these events will still be held virtually, I already miss the embodied experience of sharing these remembrances with my church family. Without these external structures in place to lead me into a posture of reflection, I am having to create structures for myself so I honor this time as it deserves.

This evening, I read John's account of the events preceding Jesus' death, from John 12-17. On this night, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples (the Last Supper), giving His final sermon before His death the next day. In it, He issued a new commandment to His disciples: to love one another as He has loved us. Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday on the church calendar, takes its name from this mandate. The sonnet here follows Jesus' words in these chapters, which I encourage you as well to read sometime between now and Sunday.

Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, these tender words of encouragement and affection extend to those who believe in Him today. We too are His beloved friends, indwelled by His Spirit and kept by the Father until the day when He receives us into the place He is preparing for us. Nothing could be more deserving of our meditation––or our celebration.