As the quiet solemnity of Holy Week deepens, Maundy Thursday invites us into one of the most intimate and profound moments of the Christian story.
On the evening of Maundy Thursday, the Church came together in solemn reflection under the spiritual guidance of the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonse Baya. This holy day, rich in meaning and tradition, marks the beginning of the sacred three days leading to Easter.
In a deeply reverent service, Diocesan Bishop led the congregation in remembering the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples, the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the profound act of foot washing—an expression of humility, servant leadership, and unconditional love.
With humility and grace, the Bishop reminded the congregation the Identity of Jesus Christ in the Maundy( New Commandment).
In John 13, Jesus is identified with strong credentials . He is referred to as Lord and Teacher. Besides that, the text presents him as a man with unimaginable authority and power. That the Father had put everything under his power . In addition, the the writer presented his glorious ancestry- that he had come from God and was returning to God . More, the text implied that he is the Son of God- He writes that Jesus was going to the Father . Moreover, he commissioned the disciples to perpetuate the foot washing as a witness of their discipliship and love .
These are strong extraorinary credentials that earned him honour, admiration, service and a huge following. He, however, chose to be a least servant. This was counter cultural, a paradigm shift as demonstrated by Peter's struggle to accept Jesus Christ to wash his feet. Foot washing was a task for the least servant in a home of a Jew. He washed feet that were full of dust and donkey feceas- awful smell. Therefore, the identity of Jesus is that of a least servant.
In the Gospel of Luke 22: 8-15, Jesus sent John and Peter to prepare for the Passover meal in a spacious room, which he had identified. He became the host of the Passover meal. The choice of the place implies that he was the host and the disciples were his guests. In addition, the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus was incharge of the order and procedures of the events that took place in the room. This signify that he was the host.
As a host, Jesus didn't only invite them to a physical space, but also to a real deep communion with him through the Passover meal, whose significance was re-interpreted as feeding on him. In following the Lord's tradition, Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:33-26, fed the Church bread and wine, the Lord's body and flesh. The bread, his flesh became the host. At the communion service, we customarily lift the bread as the body. The elevated bread is known as the host. In this regard, the Lord Jesus Christ is not only a host, but also the perfect sacrifice.
A host is hospitable and lovingly generous. He graciously invites and creates space for others to occupy and dwell in his abode. The physical and spiritual communion with Christ is a fortest of the heavenly banquet and abode in the heavenly mansion.
The text portrays Jesus as a commander. In this text, he is not potrayed as a military commander, but a commander of love. He is potrayed as a strong and powerful leader with the authority to command his disciples to love as he loved. His love was both a gift and a demand to love as he loved. Jesus's vision of love was intended to free the disciples from selfishness, selfcenterdnes, the Me, Myself and I. He deploys the emphasis of self-love, embracing individuality and taking responsibility for one's life at the expense of others.
His vision of love makes the new commandment a community-building commandment, a kingdom- building commandment. Where the Lord of love is, there is the Kingdom too. In other words, as people give and receive love from one another, a community- a kingdom is formed. The mutual loving enables members to continue on the path of mission and discipleship. It is such reciprocal love among the disciples that would enable to draw the world to Jesus Christ. Together with them we are commissioned to discipling the nations with and by love.
The Bishop Of Mombasa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Led the faithful of Mombasa Diocese in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeted with palm branches and praises of "Hosanna" from MMC through the treasury square in style. It marks the beginning of the holy week, a time to reflect on Christ's love, sacrifice And humility.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonce Mwaro Baya had the opportunity to witness the resilience and determination of the ACK Mabamani Trust Group. Formed in 2022 with just nine committed members, the group has faced significant challenges both in their development as a group and as a church community.