英國王室有一個可追溯至13世紀的傳統。那就是王室成員會在聖週四，即基督受難日的前一天，送禮物給貧苦的人。聖週四這一天也稱為濯足節（Maundy Thursday），而濯足的英文（maundy）乃源自拉丁文（mandatum），意思是「命令」。在濯足節這一天，王室成員記念耶穌在受死之前，給祂朋友的一條新命令，祂說：「我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛。我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。」（約翰福音13章34節）

耶穌是一位領袖，但祂卻成為僕人的角色，為祂的朋友們洗腳（5節）。接著祂吩咐門徒也如此行：「我給你們做了榜樣，叫你們照著我向你們所做的去做」（15節）。然後祂作了更大的犧牲，付出自己的生命，被釘死在十字架上（19章30節）。耶穌出於憐憫和愛，犧牲了自己，好讓我們可以得著豐盛的生命。

英國王室服事貧苦人的傳統一直延續至今，象徵著跟隨耶穌偉大的榜樣。我們也許不是出身顯赫，然而當我們相信了耶穌，就成為基督家庭的一分子，也可以活出祂的新命令去關愛他人。當我們倚靠上帝的靈，內心得到改變，就能以關懷、鼓勵與恩慈去幫助有需要的人。

In a tradition starting as early as the thirteenth century, members of the royal family in the United Kingdom give gifts to people in need on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. The practice is rooted in the meaning of the word maundy, which comes from the Latin mandatum, “command.” The command being commemorated is the new one that Jesus gave to His friends on the night before He died: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Jesus was a leader who took on the role of a servant as He washed His friends’ feet (v. 5). He then called them to do the same: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (v. 15). And in an even greater act of sacrifice, He lay down His life, dying on the cross (19:30). Out of mercy and love, He gave Himself that we might enjoy the fullness of life.

The tradition of the British royal family serving people in need continues as a symbol of following Jesus’ great example. We may not have been born into a place of privilege, but when we place our faith in Jesus, we become members of His family. And we too can show our love by living out His new command. As we depend on God’s Spirit to change us from within, we can reach out to others with care, affirmation, and grace.