Following Jesus During the Triduum

Leader: We gather today to pray with the Church as we prepare for the Easter Triduum. These three days begin with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday night and end with evening prayer on Easter.

First Day of the Triduum
Speaker 1: Let us imagine we are with the disciples. It is the Passover. We are all gathered around the table in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. Jesus is with us.

Jesus: I have wanted so much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer! From Luke 22:15

Speaker 2: While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. "Take and eat it," he said, "this is my body." From Matthew 26:26

Speaker 3: Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. "Drink it, all of you," he said, "this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." From Matthew 26:27-28

Silent Meditation: This is the celebration of the first Eucharist. How wonderful for Jesus to give himself to us in the Eucharist! Quietly recall the times you have celebrated the Eucharist, not with the apostles, but with your family, your friends, and the people of your parish.

Leader: For our prayer we will have a simple ritual of sharing bread with one another.

Second Day of the Triduum
Speaker 4: Imagine yourself standing with the crowd that still lingers on Calvary. You begin to think of all the things you have seen. You can still see the soldiers lifting Jesus up on the cross. Your heart is pounding and suddenly you hear Jesus speaking. You strain to hear what he is saying. Jesus: "Father! In your hands I place my spirit!" From Luke 23:46

Silent Meditation: After a moment of silence, you drift away with the rest of the crowd. You look back and see the stark outline of the cross upon the hill. It reminds you that the Sign of the Cross is probably the first prayer you ever learned. When you pray the Sign of the Cross from now on, try to remember to make it a prayer of thanks to Jesus for the gift of his great love.

Leader: Slowly and reverently now make the sign of the cross.

Third Day of the Triduum
Speaker 5: The high point of the Triduum is reached in the celebration of the Easter Vigil. During this holy vigil, we join with all those who have been baptized to proclaim our faith and to shout with joy the Easter alleluia.

Speaker 6: I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. From Matthew 28:5-6

Leader: Let us stand together now and joyfully sing an Easter alleluia!

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