Lent stops on Maundy Thursday (April 17th, 2025), the day before Good Friday. Maundy means commandment. It’s the last day of Lent, marking the Lord’s supper, where Jesus commanded us to love one another before he was betrayed. After this, Easter weekend begins, ending on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 2025.
In John 13:34, Jesus tells his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
The powerful scene of the last support makes us understand the weight and significance of the crucifixion celebrated on Good Friday and the resurrection, celebrated on Easter Sunday. The meal is set in an intimate scene where close friends celebrate the Jewish Passover meal, as is Jewish custom. On that particular night, Jesus perhaps sensed that Judas was about to betray him.
During the meal, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, including Judas’, who would later betray Him. This act of grace and love beautifully sums up the Gospel’s potent message.
Lent is the period that has been used to sacrifice and fast in various ways to reflect Jesus fasting for 40 days. The culmination of this fasting is Maundy Thursday, and being paired with remembering the Last Supper further enhances how we remain mindful of the sacrifice of Jesus.
When Can You Stop Giving Up Lent?
Is Sunday a break from Lent?
What Happens If You Fail What You Give Up For Lent?
Nothing terrible will happen if you fail on your vow to give something up. If you have a day when you didn’t keep to your intended sacrifice, return to keeping Lent the next day. Do not let one or two mishaps stop you from using Lent to focus on Jesus.
When Jesus said to his critics in Mark 2:27,“‘ The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'”, It was a rebuttal against being over-religious about things designed to bring us closer to God. Do not be harsh on yourself if you fail during Lent. Return to the fast the next day and submit your efforts to God in prayer.
Are you planning on giving up something for Lent this year? Please drop a comment to tell us what you hope to learn from sacrifice as you celebrate Lent.
