THURSDAY: This evening concludes the season of Lent. We hear the public absolution for the first time since Transfiguration and receive the personal address of forgiveness with the laying on of hands. Having been thus reconciled with God and each other, we begin the Triduum – one service of worship which takes place over three days, in which we enter the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
On Maundy Thursday the focus is on the community of disciples Jesus creates by his passion and resurrection; a community of which we are part. The church-community is known by mutual subjection in service, following Jesus’ example in washing his disciples’ feet, and by the celebration of Jesus’ abiding presence in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. After we who have been reconciled celebrate the Sacrament, we are led into the contemplation of our Lord’s Passion, as the altar is stripped, and Psalm 22 is sung. We go out in silence into the darkness of evening, meditating upon Jesus’ descent into darkness on the night before his crucifixion.
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