Holy Thursday

5 April 2012

Today is the Feast of Holy Thursday. We remember the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and instituted the Eucharist. We also remember his prayer in Gethsemane and his betrayal by Judas. It is the first day in a 3--day liturgy known as TRIDUUM. To full participate in TRIDUUM, one must attend all 3 of it's parts: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

I have also added some links to the right with activities you might want to do with your kids over the next few days.

Today's story tells of when Judas Leaves the Last Supper.
The scriptural basis for this story can be found in both Matthew 26 & John 13.

"And while they were eating, he said: “Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.” And being greatly saddened, each one of them began to say, “Surely, it is not I, Lord?” But he responded by saying: “He who dips his hand with me into the dish, the same will betray me. Indeed, the Son of man goes, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, “Surely, it is not I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
Matthew 26:21-25

"“Amen, amen, I say to you, that one among you shall betray me.”  Therefore, the disciples looked around at one another, uncertain about whom he spoke. And leaning against the bosom of Jesus was one of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved. Therefore, Simon Peter motioned to this one and said to him, “Who is it that he is speaking about?”And so, leaning against the chest of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus responded, “It is he to whom I shall extend the dipped bread.” And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those sitting at table knew why he had said this to him. For some were thinking that, because Judas held the purse, that Jesus had told him, “Buy those things which are needed by us for the feast day,” or that he might give something to the needy. Therefore, having accepted the morsel, he went out immediately. And it was night."
John 13:21-30


Reading of the Day:
     Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
     Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
     1 Corinthians 11:23-26
     John 13:1-15

Collect for the Day:
"O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love, grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."