Thursday, April 3
The Morning Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

Maundy Thursday


The Call to Prayer
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,* which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever. The hills stand about Jerusalem;* so does the LORD stand round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 125:1–2

The Request for Presence
Make me understand the way of your commandments,* that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
Psalm 119:27


The Greeting

Remember your word to your servant,* because you have given me hope. This is my comfort in my trouble,* that your promise gives me life.
Psalm 119:49–50

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.
John 14:1

A Reading

Before the festival of Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved those who were his in the world, loved them to the end. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from the table, removed his outer garments, and, taking a towel, wrapped it around his waist; he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said, ‘Well then, not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has had a bath needs washing, such a person is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’ When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand,’ he said, ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly, so I am. If I then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
John 13:1–15

The Refrain

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.

The Morning Psalm

That the Generation to Come Might Put Their Trust in God

Hear my teaching, O my people;* incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable;* I will declare the mysteries of ancient times. That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us,* we will not hide from their children. We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD,* and the wonderful works he has done. He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel,* which he commanded them to teach their children; That the generations to come might know, and the children yet unborn;* that they in their turn might tell it to their children; So that they might put their trust in God,* and not forget the deeds of God, but keep his commandments; And not be like their forefathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,* a generation whose heart was not steadfast, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Psalm 78:1–8

The Refrain

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.

The Cry of the Church

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament,* and he will hear my voice.
Psalm 55:18

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Look down, O Lord, I pray, on all of us, Your Family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer the torment of the Cross. Amen.
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY