Maundy Thursday is a strange term. One night when daughter, Erin (the one to whom this volume is dedicated), was little, my wife was trying to tell her about Maundy Thursday. Erin said, "Monday Thursday."

"No," said Christie, "Maundy Thursday."

"Right," responded Erin, "Monday Thursday." Christie gave up.

The designation "Maundy Thursday" comes from an ancient Latin anthem traditionally sung at the commemoration of the Last Supper, "Mandatum Novum Do Vobis," which means, "I give you a new commandment," from our text. Indeed, another way of identifying this day might be Commandment Thursday. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).

Have you ever felt uncomfortable with that? To be honest, I would just as soon have no c…