1. Gethsemane – fear and anguish – Mt 26: 36-46
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Then Jesus came with them to a plot of land called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And he began to feel sadness and anguish. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me." And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. "My Father," he said, "if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it." He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "So you had not the strength to stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake, and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing enough, but human nature is weak." Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: "My Father," he said, "if this cup cannot pass by, but I must drink it, your will be done!" And he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy. Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words. Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, "You can sleep on now and have your rest. Look, the hour has come when the Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! Look, my betrayer is not far away." |
Silent Reflection:
Can I stay awake and pray with Jesus for one
hour?
Sadness and anguish… is this mine? Is it
another’s?
Song:
'Let
all that I within me' (or some similar
hymn)
2.
Carrying the Cross – suffering in self and others
– Lk 23: 26-32
And when they had finished
making fun of him, they took off the cloak and dressed him
in his own clothes and led him away to crucifixion. As they
were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from
Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him
shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers
of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and
lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather
for yourselves and for your children. For look, the days
are surely coming when people will say, `Blessed are those
who are barren, the wombs that have never borne children,
the breasts that have never suckled!' Now they were also
leading out two others, criminals, to be executed with
him.
Silent
Reflection:
Who is suffering? Can I be of help like Simon of
Cyrene?
Am I the cause of others
suffering?
Song:
'I need you Lord' (or some similar
hymn)
3.
Crucifixion and Death – trust in the love of God
– Luke 23 and Mt 27
When they reached the place
called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two
criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus
said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are
doing." Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. The
people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they
jeered at him with the words, "He saved others, let him
save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
It was now about the sixth hour and the sun's light failed,
so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth
hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud
voice, “Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?” that is,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The
veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle. Jesus
cried out in a loud voice saying, "Father, into your hands
I commit my spirit." With these words he breathed his
last.
Silent
Reflection:
Can I forgive? Do I feel forsaken by God at
times?
Can I still
commit myself into his hands with
Jesus?
Song:
'Silent,
surrendered' (or some similar
hymn)
4.
Penitential Rite – remorse and accepting God’s
forgiveness
Having reflected on the Word
and mindful of our weaknesses, let us remember where we
have failed to respond to God's love. Together let us ask
God as a community to open our hearts and minds to his
love.
I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers that I
have sinned through my own fault, in my own thoughts and in
my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do;
and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, all the angels and
saints, and you my brothers, to pray for me to the Lord our
God.
May
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and
bring us to everlasting life. Amen
Song:
'Healing is your touch O God, renewing the spirit of the
broken' (or some similar
hymn)
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O
God,
As you are ever rich in
mercy;
In
the abundance of your compassion,
Wipe
out my offence.
Wash
me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse
me.
For I
acknowledge my offence,
And
my sin is always before me;
Against
you alone have I sinned
And done is what is evil in
your sight.
A
clean heart create for me O God,
And
a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast
me not from your presence,
And
your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Sprinkle me
with a wand of hyssop
And
I shall be clean;
Wash
me I shall be whiter than snow;
Give
me back the joy of your salvation,
And
a willing spirit sustain in me.
Bring
a clean heart to birth
Breathe
new life into my being.
Glory to
you, Source of all being,
Eternal
Word and Holy Spirit
- as it was in the beginning, is
now,
and ever shall be, world
without end.
Amen.
Br. Eamonn MacLochlainn (the Gambia)