Day Thirty Eight — Maundy Thursday — 24 March

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love.

Maundy Thursday

Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord,
Replenishing our every element,
Remaking us in his creative Word.
For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit's speech,
The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with his gentle touch.
And here he shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete,
In vain we search the heavens high above,
The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray him, though it is the night,
He meets us here and loves us into light.

Lectionary readings (Click the links to see the readings):
Exodus 12.1-14 | Psalm 116.1-2,11-18 | 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 | John 13.1-17,31-35

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Douglas Blanchard. The Last Supper.

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Douglas Blanchard. Jesus is Arrested.

J.S. Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244. Choral: Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen. Collegium Vocale Gent, cond. Philippe Herreweghe.

Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen,
Stell ich mich doch wieder ein;
Hat uns doch dein Sohn verglichen
Durch sein' Angst und Todespein.
Ich verleugne nicht die Schuld;
Aber deine Gnad und Huld
Ist viel grösser als die Sünde,
Die ich stets in mir befinde.		Although I have strayed from you,
Yet I turn back once again;
Your son has settled the account for us
Through his anguish and death agony.
I do not deny my guilt;
But your grace and favour
is much greater than the sins
I find constantly in myself.

J.S. Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244. Choral: Wie Wunderbarlich Ist Doch Diese Strafe. John Eliot Gardiner. The Monteverdi Choir, The London Oratory Junior Choir

Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe!
Der gute Hirte leidet fü die Schafe,
Die Schuld bezahlt der Herre, der Gerechte,
Fü seine Knechte.

How amazing is this punishment!
The good Shepherd suffers for his sheep,
The Lord, the one who is just, pays the penalty
For his servants.

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.