Welcome to a little liturgy for Maundy Thursday. Apologies for the brief disruption recently - a nasty virus got the better of me. I think my little boy found it refreshing to attend Mass without pen and paper for once! It made me realise that one can do too much... This week the liturgies speak for them selves so what follows is a light touch!
Summary of Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
God gives Moses and Aaron instructions for the passover meal. The Israelites must slaughter a perfect sheep or goat and roast it. They are to put the animal's blood on the doorposts of their houses and then eat the meal hastily. God will destroy the first-born of their enemies but save the Israelite children. They must remember this night for ever.
Psalm 115
The blessing cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.
Second Reading
Corinthians 11:23-26
St Paul tells us and the Corinthians about the Last Supper. He says "every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his (Jesus') death."
Gospel
John 13:1-15
John tells us how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. Peter was reluctant and tried to stop Jesus but he was told "If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me." He also says "I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you."
Discussion
The readings today reflect the history of the Eucharist and connect the actions of the Last Supper to the Jewish passover and the sacrifice of the cross. These events are at the heart of Christianity and remind us of links with the Jewish tradition. The disciples and Jesus were celebrating the passover at the meal we now know as the Last Supper. Jesus made a new covenant with his people by offering himself as a sacrifice to conquer death. When we celebrate the Eucharist we are celebrating this sacrifice and joining with it.
Look again at the First Reading and answer these questions:
Describe what the sheep or goat should be like:
a) b) c)
What should the meat be eaten with?
Draw a picture of someone eating the Passover meal and label the figure.
Below is a checklist for the order of today's liturgy.
1. (This morning or yesterday the holy oils were blessed at the Cathedral and all the priests renewed their dedication to Christ.)
2. We meet together to begin the Easter Triduum - the statues and pictures are covered and the tabernacle is open.
3. Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross
4. Penitential Rite (we ask for forgiveness for our sins)
5. The Gloria is sung and the bells rung
6. The Liturgy of the Word (Readings, Psalm, Gospel)
7. Homily
8. Washing of Feet (Mandatum - Maundy antiphon sung)
9. Liturgy of the Eucharist - Consecration
10. Communion Rite
11. The Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament - procession
12. Hymn "Pange Lingua" is sung
13. The altar is stripped
Other activities and resources
Find out about the famous painting of the Last Supper here:
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin translation of Jesus' words to the disciples:
"Mandatum novum do vobis, ut diligatis invicem, sicut dilexi vos, dicit Dominus."
in English:
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, says the Lord".
Try and work out what the following words mean:
Dominus
Mandatum
novum
diligatis / dilexi
Maria
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