On this Maundy Thursday, we are sharing a guest post from Dr. Dwight J. Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology. Thanks to Dwight for allowing us to republish this piece of writing from his blog on “the kind of God I’d be interested in getting to know”. May you be blessed by this imaginative reflection and God’s desire to be present with you. May this Holy Week bring you a fresh discovery of a God who invites you to come to the table and commune together.
Blessed Maundy Thursday. . . God’s invitation to “wash up before dinner.”
Imagine a God who doesn’t demand your worship, mindless obedience, or tithes but actually serves you out of love, simply because that’s who God is. . .
Imagine a God, so located within God’s own identity that God isn’t concerned what others would think, nor bows to societal, religious, or cultural pressures but is present to what is most real. . .
Imagine a God who takes the most holy day of your tradition(s) and through God’s own presence throws open the table so that all are welcome, especially those who’ve been told in a thousand ways that they don’t deserve a seat. . .
Imagine a God who dines with those riddled with doubt, or who think that God isn’t revolutionary enough/or in the “right” ways, or who even deny or betray God. . .
Imagine a God who desires – even needs – real relationships, communing as the Godhead, and with friends…even if God’s friends can’t seem to stay awake. . .
Imagine a God who rejects violence enacted on God’s behalf, healing the oppressor and inviting followers to put away their weapons. . .
Imagine a God who suffers. . .
That’s the kind of God I’d be interested in getting to know. . .
As far as I understand, this is getting at the role Maundy Thursday plays in the annual enactment of Christ’s life; this is getting at what we are observing and remembering and discovering afresh. . .
Have a blessed Maundy Thursday, and for Christ’s sake wash up before dinner!
Gratitude and credit to Dr. Dwight Friesen, original post: “Maundy Thursday“