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Table Liturgy MAUNDY THURSDAY A HOME LITURGY FOR USE IN SMALL GATHERINGS or ALONE HOLY WEEK 2020 When we gather together on Maundy Thursday, Some of the important elements in the modern what story is it we seek to tell? Is it the washing Agape Feast are those of acts of praise (giving of the disciples’ feet? Or the giving of a new joyful glory to God), prayer/scripture (hearing commandment: ‘Love one another as I have God speaking), and testimony (personal loved you’? Or is it the institution of the Holy reflection on God’s activity in your own life). Eucharist? Or the desolation of Jesus in the While over the centuries the meal aspect of the garden of Gethsemane? Perhaps it’s all of the Eucharist has become downplayed, the Agape above. Perhaps they’re all connected. Feast is very much a full meal. In this case it can Although everything we do in the church be whatever you wish it to be. Some of the involves memory, and commemoration symbolic elements we suggest are a candle to [anamnesis in technical terms], in some way, this symbolize the light of Christ, and an empty night is special. On this night we begin the final chalice/wine glass, and plate, to symbolize that journey to the cross, and it all begins with Jesus, which we lack in the hiddenness of the Eucharist perched on his knees, washing his disciples’ feet. this year. LOVE ONE ANOTHER GO TO DARK GETHSEMANE This night is a good occasion to contemplate We end this night with an ancient ritual of how you might be of service to others around washing the altar, or table. Although our home you, especially those who look up to you. Maybe tables are not altars upon which the sacrifice of it’s family members, maybe it’s neighbours. How the mass is offered, this simple act nevertheless can you bless them with gifts that they would reminds us of the symbol of the preparation of never have expected? Jesus’ body for burial, an event we anticipate as TAKE AND EAT Jesus is abandoned by his disciples. Washing the disciples feet wasn’t the only SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES display of love from Jesus that night. This night is This liturgy is intended to be prayed in a time of also about remembering the gift of Jesus’ body global crisis and physical distancing either in a and blood, soon to be shed, and the love he small family group, or alone. If prayed in a small showed by remaining near to them, fully aware group, certain portions are provided in italics in by this point, of what was about to happen. order to facilitate alternate readers or As we fast this year from the bread and wine of responsive readings. Bolded portions indicate the Eucharist, again, we have a good opportunity places where the group can pray together. to reflect on what it is that nourishes us in our Whatever way you pray it, know that as your walk with Christ. prayers rise to heaven they join with the prayers An old tradition in the church, one which was of all the Church throughout the world on revived by the Methodist heritage, is that of the these holiest of nights. Agape Meal, or Love Feast. It was intended to be a meal shared by all, without the all SUPPLIES NEEDED encompassing depth of the Eucharist, but also Candle, Wine glass, Plate, Evening meal without its strictures. Leadership is shared amongst all present, whether lay or ordained. The liturgy begins in silence, at an empty table… WWW.STSAVIOURSPENTICTON.CA THE GATHERING Those present gather at the empty dining table. A candle is placed in the centre of the table and lit with the following words: WELCOMING OF THE VESPER LIGHT Jesus Christ is the light of the world. A light no darkness can extinguish. O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ, in you the Father’s glory shone. Immortal, holy, blest is he, and blest are you, God’s holy son. Now sunset comes, but light shines forth; the lamps are lit to pierce the night. Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God who dwells in the eternal light. Worthy are you of endless praise, O Son of God, life giving Lord; Wherefore you are through all the earth and in the highest heaven adored. Can be sung to tune Tallis’ Canon, #14 Common Praise This is the day that Christ, the Lamb of God, gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him. This is the day that Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. This is the day that Christ took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, giving us an example that we should do to others as he has done to us. This is the day that Christ our God gave us the holy feast, that we who eat the bread and drink the cup may proclaim his Holy Sacrifice and be partakers of his resurrection, and at the last day may reign with him in heaven. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the shepherd of Israel, their pillar of cloud by day, their pillar of fire by night. In these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that in this pilgrimage of prayer we might learn to be your people once more. In fasting and service you bring us back to your heart. You open our eyes to your presence in the world and you free our hands to lead others to the radiant splendour of your mercy. Be with us in these journey days for without you we are lost and will perish. To you alone be dominion and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. FIRST READING – John 13.3–14, 31b–35 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ REFLECTION – In what way has Jesus come to me, in meekness and humility, to offer a love beyond measure? – Whom has God placed in my life, asking me to show them this same humble love? THE TABLE The table is set with the evening meal. An empty chalice/wine glass and an empty plate for bread are laid next to the candle in the centre of the table. Following the washing of the hands we gather back at the table. PRAYER AT THE WASHING OF HANDS Give virtue to my hands, O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain I might serve you with purity of mind and body INTERCESSIONS – We pray for those at risk from illness, and those who suffer. – We pray for those working through these difficult days, at risk to their own health. – We pray for all those whom we’ve lost and all that we grieve this night The intercessions end with the following prayer written by Charles Wesley for the Agape Meal. Father of earth and heaven, Thy hungry children feed, Thy grace be to our spirits given, That true immortal bread. Grant us and all our race In Jesus Christ to prove The sweetness of thy pardoning grace, The manna of thy love. Charles Wesley, written for the Love Feast On this night the meal is shared and eaten in silence, reflecting the silence around the world and the stillness of a world in quarantine. We take this time to ponder the mystery of Jesus’ self giving love in the Eucharist, and what it means for us to fast from it as a sign of love for our neighbour.
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