'Here is where the words run out'

Thursday April 17 2025

A Reflection for Maundy Thursday, by the Rev Roddy Hamilton

Luke 22:7-13

The Day of Unleavened Bread came, the day the Passover lamb was butchered. Jesus sent Peter and John off, saying, “Go prepare the Passover for us so we can eat it together.”

They said, “Where do you want us to do this?”

He said, “Keep your eyes open as you enter the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him home. Then speak with the owner of the house: The Teacher wants to know, ‘Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there.”

They left, found everything just as he told them, and prepared the Passover meal.

Reflection

Here is where the words run out
For there is nothing left to say.

Hope is found in a ritual echo,
Of an ancient meal, reimagined:

Passover and freedom,
Communion and hope,

Broken bread: a symbol of a broken God.
Spilled wine: the choice this broken God makes.

But let us not waste breath on an explanation.
There is none.

Let us simply taste
What we cannot yet see.

Prayer

The breathing space, O God,
The pause,
The place,
The sacrifice,
The decision,
The meal.

Loving Jesus,
This feast of so little,
Becomes so much.

A table where refugees are gathered,
Where lies are defeated and truth spoken,
Where everyone receives and not just the wealthy.

May we taste the promise,
Taste the hope,
Taste the future.

Amen

The Rev Roddy Hamilton is minister of New Kilpatrick Parish Church, Bearsden

Holy Week Reflections
Palm Sunday: Silence is not a gift the stones will give
Monday: It is a long way to heaven from here
Tuesday: Between the grief and the hope
Wednesday: May we be offended