[Magdalen] Maundy Thursday.

[Cantor03 at aol.com]

Text of a/the Fraction anthem for Maundy Thursday:
 
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
 
 
Maundy Thursday with its several themes would seem to be an
embarrass de richesses  for preachers at this Liturgy.
 
I've always thought it was interesting to see which of the several  themes
would be picked for the Maundy sermon.
 
For that matter, is there really any need to have a sermon during the
Triduum Liturgies?.  It has always seemed to me that the Liturgy  itself
for these special days speaks very eloquently, and that a sermon is
unnecessary fluff.  
 
The usual sermon Maundy/Holy Thursday themes:
 
(1) The Institution of the Eucharist, fascinatingly on the day BEFORE
the Sacrifice of Calvary, with all the heavy duty theology of the  Sacrament
and also its timing.  There is Corpus Christi for some Christians to  allow
expansion of these events.
 
(2) The "Love One Another Commandment," characterized by the famous and  
moving, "Ubi Caritas."
 
(3) The Passing of the Peace.  At this Liturgy only, the text of the  
Fraction
Anthem can omit the usual final phrase ("Grant us your peace"),  since the 
Peace
has been "passed" earlier in the Liturgy (See Fraction anthem  text above).
 
With so much from which to choose, it seems incredible, but I have
heard preachers ignore these "big three,"  and sail into uncharted  waters
with some new theme of their own.
 
It is a free world.
 
Which them, if any or all, will your preacher pick?
 
 
 
David Strang.