Opening Song:     'Father we adore you'  (or some similar hymn)

 1.    Gethsemane – fear and anguish – Mt  26: 36-46

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