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DAY 22 - HOLY THURSDAY
This evening, we begin the Holy Triduum (literally meaning "the three days" - Thursday evening to Saturday evening) in which we enter into Jesus' last meal, his trial, suffering, and resurrection. During this time, we would encourage you to take time to meditate on these mysteries with the Liturgy of the Hours (below), the Rosary, watching the previous lesson on the Last Supper & the 4 Cup Theory, and especially join us from home for Mass of the Lord's Supper from Holy Cross Church starting at 7pm here and on our website at holycrossdewitt.org.
From our Spiritual Director
Holy Thursday Reflection
Readings:
Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14Psalm 116Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26Gospel John 13:1-15There are many images to focus on in the readings today from the Eucharist to the washing of the disciples' feet. We see Jesus brought from master to humble servant. His love is shown to them by a simple gesture of washing their feet, but as we know even greater love is shown as he gives of his life on the Cross for our sins. Today, we focus on the Love Jesus shows to us each time we attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. Although we are unable to physically receive Him in the Eucharist, we are still called to unite ourselves with Him through a simple prayer called a “Prayer of Spiritual communion.” While this can never replace our love for the Eucharist, we are called to unite our time of trials with Jesus’ suffering. Jesus has shown us His love by giving us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Today we celebrate that same love and are called to show that love to others. How can you show the compassion and love which Jesus showed to His disciples on that night in the upper room? Take some time over the next few days and reflect on the love Jesus has shown you throughout your life.
Fr. Matt Rawson
Mass Readings
Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Lectionary: 239
Reading 1
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall stand at the head of your calendar; you shall reckon it the first month of the year. Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every one of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. If a family is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join the nearest household in procuring one and shall share in the lamb in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it. The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present, it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb. That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the LORD. For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD! But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you. “This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 116
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
2nd Reading
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Gospel
John 13:1-15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Whats is Jesus doing on Thursday?
Holy Thursday - The Last Supper & Garden of Gethsemane
On this day in Jesus' life, a great deal takes place. Take time to read the story as recorded in the Bible - Matthew 26-27, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13-18. Here are some of the things the gospels record for this day (including events that happened after midnight). Jesus:
Sent Peter and John to arrange for them to use the Upper Room to hold the Passover meal.
Washed the apostles' feet.
Held the first Mass.
Instituted the priesthood.
Announced that Judas would betray him.
Gave the "new commandment" to love one another.
Indicated that Peter had a special pastoral role among the apostles.
Announced that Peter would deny him.
Prayed for the unity of his followers.
Held all the discourses recorded across five chapters of John (John 13-18).
Sang a hymn.
Went to the Mount of Olives.
Prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Was betrayed by Judas.
Stopped the disciples from continuing a violent resistance.
Healed the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant, after Peter cut it off with a sword.
Was taken before the high priests Annas and Caiaphas.
Was denied by Peter.
Was taken to Pilate.
Holy Thursday - Family Resources & Activities
Triduum Family Activities & Resources
The Triduum is a three-day period which begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper (aka The Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet) on the evening of Holy Thursday, continuing into Good Friday Service (not a Mass - commemorating Jesus' sufferings, death and crucifiction with the veneration of the Cross): flowing into the Easter Vigil (Easter fire, lighting of the Paschal Candle dispelling the darkness & prepare for Jesus' ressurection--the Light of the World to come; and continue through Easter Sunday celebrations.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES:
Holy Thursday - Join us online for Mass of the Lord's Supper (7pm)
On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the Sacrament of the Priesthood. The Last Supper was the Passover Meal or Seder Meal in which Jesus made a new Covenant with the breaking of the bread and blessing of the cup.
Before your evening meal, reenact the Last Supper with your family. Wash one anothers's feet. The washing of feet is a symbolic ritual of humble service. Through our baptism, we are each are called to serve one another and care for each other--spirtually and physically.
At dinner, begin with prayer then break and share bread together. As a family talk about ways you can serve each other in the home: ways you can serve others in your community. Make a plan on ways to serve.
RESOURCES:
Video Links and Movie Suggestions
Triduum
The Easter Story - The Greatest Adventure Stories From the Bible Hanna-Barbera 30:00
God's Story: Easter Crossroads Kids Club 4:30
Holy Thursday
The Last Supper Saddleback Kids (3:30)
Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet Saddleback Kids 2:30
Prince of Egypt - Trailer - YouTube Rent or Buy also available on other streaming services Rated G, 1:40:00
The Ten Commandments (1956) - Trailer - YouTube - Rent or Buy also available on other streaming services, Rated G, 3:40:03
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer"
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