Maundy for Dummies

Hey there! So, "Maundy" is a word that you may not have heard before - and that's okay! It's a little bit of a tricky word, but I'm here to help explain it to you in a way that makes sense. So, "Maundy" is actually an old-fashioned word that comes from the Middle English "maunde" or "mande," which means "command."

Now, one of the meanings of "Maundy" is a religious term that refers to the Christian holy day that falls on the Thursday before Easter. It's also known as "Maundy Thursday." On this day, some churches perform a special ceremony to commemorate Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and giving them a new commandment to love one another. This is where the word "Maundy" comes from – it's all about the commandment given by Jesus.

Another meaning of "Maundy" is related to the tradition of the British royal family giving alms to elderly people on Maundy Thursday. This tradition dates back centuries and is meant to symbolize humility and service, just like how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

So, when you hear the word "Maundy," you can think of it as a special day in the Christian calendar when people remember Jesus' commandment to love one another. It's all about showing kindness and humility, just like Jesus did. And if you ever hear about the British royal family giving out gifts on Maundy Thursday, you'll know that it's part of an old tradition that also connects to the idea of showing love and care for others.