‘Today you will be with me in paradise’

A service of reflection for Maundy Thursday

Thursday 9th April 2020

ORDER OF SERVICE Introduction

Opening Hymn Click here to listen O for a closer walk with God Words: William Cowper (1731-1800) Tune: Caithness

Scottish Psalter (1635)

Opening Responses Our help is in the name of the Lord who has made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord now and for ever. Amen.

Canticle Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, ♦ that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, ♦ when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. When he suffered, he did not threaten, ♦ but he trusted himself to God who judges justly. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, ♦ that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, ♦ but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen. 2

Opening Prayer Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 22. 1-11 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, ♦ and are so far from my salvation, from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; ♦ and by night also, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, ♦ enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forebears trusted in you; ♦ they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; ♦ they put their trust in you and were not confounded. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, ♦ scorned by all and despised by the people. All who see me laugh me to scorn; ♦ they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,

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‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; ♦ let him deliver him, if he delights in him.’ But it is you that took me out of the womb ♦ and laid me safe upon my mother’s breast. On you was I cast ever since I was born; ♦ you are my God even from my mother’s womb. Be not far from me, for trouble is near at hand ♦ and there is none to help. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Reading Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to them, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

Mark 14.32-42

Meditation Click here for a reflection by The Dean

Anthem Click here to listen Ubi Caritas Words: Antiphon at the washing of Music: Maurice Duruflé (1902-86) the feet on Maundy Thursday Silence is kept.

Short Responsory Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Conclusion Soul of Christ, sanctify me, body of Christ, save me, blood of Christ, inebriate me, water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me: hide me within your wounds and never let me be separated from you. From the wicked enemy defend me, in the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you, so that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen. May Christ our Saviour give us peace. Amen.

Final Hymn Click here to listen Glory be to Jesus Words: Italian, anon. Tune: Caswall trans. Edward Caswall (1814-78) Friedrich Filitz (1804-76)

Material from Common Worship is included in this service and is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council.

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