Sunday at Home | Holy Thursday

Introduction

Tonight we enter into the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, remembering the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, we are invited by our Lord to follow His example ever more closely during this time of the pandemic, living out the Paschal Mystery in our own lives.

Resources

Here you can find this Sunday’s Readings, songs and hymns chosen by our music ministers, Father’s homily, some petitions for us to offer together to God, the Spiritual Communion Prayer and a prayer for during this pandemic. If you are looking for something more, try these resources:

• Our YouTube Channel: This year, St. Joseph the Worker and St. Columbkille are teaming up to broadcast our Triduum services online. We will broadcast the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00pm on Holy Thursday.
• Archbishop’s Live Broadcast: The Archdiocese will livestream Mass at 6:00pm on Holy Thursday with Archbishop Jackels presiding.
• Magnificat: Head over to Magnificat for a full outline of all the prayers and readings for today’s Mass.
• MagnifiKid: This is a resource to serve as a spiritual guide for kids that include activities and explanations for the readings and rituals of Mass.

Opening Song

Table of Plenty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okAMb_ra8Uw)

The Readings

First Reading Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Egypt: “This month is to be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb. If the family is too small to eat a whole animal, they and their next-door neighbors may share an animal, in proportion to the number of people and the amount that each person can eat. You may choose either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a one-year-old male without any defects. Then, on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, the whole community of Israel will kill the animals. The people are to take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses in which the animals are to be eaten. That night the meat is to be roasted, and eaten with bitter herbs and with bread made without yeast.

“You are to eat it quickly, for you are to be dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your walking stick in your hand. It is the Passover Festival to honor me, the Lord. On that night I will go through the land of Egypt, killing every first-born male, both human and animal, and punishing all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood on the doorposts will be a sign to mark the houses in which you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you and will not harm you when I punish the Egyptians.

“You must celebrate this day as a religious festival to remind you of what I, the Lord, have done. Celebrate it for all time to come.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 116 – Our Blessing Cup (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GhGhtritrM)

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.” This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Gospel John 13:1-15

It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end. Jesus and his disciples were at supper. The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God. So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. Then he poured some water into a washbasin 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, “Are you going to wash my feet, Lord?” Jesus answered him, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.” Peter declared, “Never at any time will you wash my feet!” “If I do not wash your feet,” Jesus answered, “you will no longer be my disciple.” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!” Jesus said, “Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves, except for their feet. All of you are clean—all except one.” (Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, “All of you, except one, are clean.”)

After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I have just done to you?” he asked. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.

Homily

Homily for Holy Thursday 2020

Prayers of the Faithful

• For the Church: that we may live like Jesus during this time of Coronavirus and spend our lives in loving service, washing the feet, carrying the burdens, and comforting the brokenness of one another, Lord hear our prayer.
• For the grace of Christian unity: that divisions may be healed, unity restored, and that we may support one another in bringing forth the reign of God, Lord hear our prayer.
• For those to whom we are committed, especially our families, our communities, and our friends: that we may be faithful to them and support them in all of life’s journeys, Lord hear our prayer.
• For our brothers and sisters who serve us as priests and religious: that they may be renewed by God’s love and faithfully follow the example of Jesus, Lord hear our prayer.
• For the gift of peace: that God will bring an end to terrorism and violence and help everyone to recognize the beauty and dignity of human life, Lord hear our prayer.
• For Bob Steuck, Doris Donovan and all who have died, may they find eternal joy in heaven, Lord hear our prayer.

Preparation Song

The Servant Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8L1Y9wCCEE)

Communion

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Communion Song

The Supper of the Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLpduajNP10)

Going Forth Song

Tantum Ergo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQTYuFG8NW8)

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.