Holy Thursday Vigil: Sacred Witness to Injustice in the Roman Catholic Church
March 24, 2016
Written by Jane Via, RCWP and Janice Sevre-Duszynska, ARCWP
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Opening Song: “Ubi Caritas”
Opening Rite:
In the name of the Silence, the ground of our being; the Word through which the silence speaks; the Music, the dynamic energy of the Spirit; and the dance which is our great Amen. Amen.
May the grace of Jesus the Christ, our Servant Leader, the Love of God, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.
Opening Prayer:
Mothering God,
who holds us close…
we who follow in the footsteps of Jesus,
gather here this morning
to witness for gender justice for our
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender sisters and brothers…
for women priests and our supporters…
for all who are marginalized.
From the church we love
each of us so named
has felt rejection and suffering.
May our voices be heard
by compassionate ears
in the Vatican.
Immersed in Spirit
and the freedom of God,
we go forward…
We call on Pope Francis
to replace
the politics of oppression
with the politics
of justice and compassion
in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. Amen.
First Reading: A Reading from the Book of Exodus: [Excerpts from 12:1-14]
“God said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam in the land of Egypt…, “This is how you are to eat the Passover Meal: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste. The meal celebrates the…Passover of God…
This is a day you shall commemorate for the generations to come. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Holy Name—a perpetual institution.”
The Word of the ancient Israelite writer.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel:
A Reading from the Gospel according to John: [13:1, 2b-10a; 12-17, 33-35]
Glory to you, O God.
Reader 1
It was before Passover, and Jesus realized that the time had come for him to pass from this world to his loving God. Jesus had always loved those in this world; but, now, he showed how complete this love was.
Reader 2
During supper…Jesus rose from the table, took off his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. He then poured some water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was round his waist. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Rabbi, you’re not going to wash my feet, are you?…You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”
Reader 3
After washing their feet, Jesus put his clothes back on and returned to the table. He said to the disciples, “Do you understand what I have done and what it means? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Leader’ — and rightly, for I am. If I, then – your Teacher and Leader – have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you…I give you a new commandment…Love one another the way I have loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples: that you Love one another.”
The Gospel of Our God.
Praise to You, Jesus the Christ.
Invitation to Foot Washing:
We understand that our Brother Jesus
washed the feet of his disciples
to teach us what it means
to serve one another.
Today, we celebrate his example
as we wash the feet of those marginalized by our church…
In solidarity and community
we welcome them.
We also welcome anyone gathered here, marginalized or not by our church, to come forward if you would like to have your feet washed.
FOOT WASHING
Reader 1
Moment of Silence in Remembrance of Jesus’ Act of Servant Leadership:
At this time, we pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of Jesus’ act of servant leadership, the example he gave and called us to emulate.
Reader 2
Closing Prayer:
Loving God, May the prayers offered here today, and this reenactment of Jesus’ foot washing, summon Roman Catholic leaders to remember they, too, are called to be servants and servant leaders; they, too, are called to love. Open their hearts and minds to the full inclusion of women and gay people in the Roman Catholic Church. Move them to end all injustice within the church. We pray in the names of Jesus and all holy women and men throughout time. Amen.
Closing Song: “Peace, Salaam, Shalom”