Holy Week Devotions

Historic calendars and liturgies have provided Scripture readings and prayers for observing Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter morning. Although every congregation is not able to offer public worship every day, hymnals and prayer books have preserved much of ancient Christian tradition for observing the week. There is a variety of readings and prayers from which to choose, and the Gospel accounts of Christ's Passion are central. This great worship heritage reduces the likelihood of weird, extravagant, or inappropriate observances.

Furthermore, the Reformation modified the old traditions to make them more Christ-centered. Focused on Scripture, we can respect the experiences of Christ's mother without focusing our devotion on her. We can contemplate the way of the Cross without depending on medieval legends. We can honor the Cross without letting extreme sentimentality or superstitious practices dominate. Thanks be to God for such a Gospel-centered heritage!

Palm Sunday- Matthew 21; Matthew 26 & 27

 The last Sunday in Lent is commonly called Palm Sunday. This title is common even among some Christian groups that do not observe most of the Christian calendar. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem at the beginning of the first Holy Week has been observed publicly since the early fourth century in Palestine. There is a certain joy in the event, but there has always been a bit of irony about the observance and the events it recalls.

Certainly, the story of Christ's triumphal entrance (Matthew 21:1-11 and parallels) into Jerusalem should be remembered. The event was rich in symbolism. He came on a donkey as a peaceful king from the ancient East would come to be enthroned. And the children and humble people present that day welcomed and praised Him. He deserved the praise and recognition. He was the true king of God's people, the Messianic deliverer. Unfortunately, the crowds did not really understand Him. They did not accept His spiritual type of leadership. They were looking for a political deliverer, and when the crowds were disappointed, they would quickly turn on Jesus and accept His crucifixion. Thus, the Palm Gospel for the day naturally leads us to the Passion Gospel (Matthew 26 & 27), which is central for this day. 

In fact, the Passion accounts are at the heart of all our readings during this week. The events that we commemorate this week are key to the entire Christian message. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ are the greatest acts of God for our salvation. Without them, Jesus' birth and ministry lose significance. Without them, we have no hope of redemption from our sins, no hope of eternal life. A faithful response to the events of Holy Week and Easter is at the heart of what it means to be Christian. Therefore, let us take time all this week to listen, read, and meditate on these painful but mighty acts of God.

The Annunciation- 25 March- Luke 1:26-38

 The feast of the Annunciation is often neglected. Such neglect occurs because it is a weekday, because it falls during Lent, and perhaps also because the event receives attention during Advent. The 25th of March was first mentioned as a possible date for the Annunciation in the third century, and its observance developed and spread over several centuries. 

Of course, the basis for the observance of the Annunciation is in St. Luke 1:26, "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin esposed to a man whose name was Joseph , of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." The rest of the story should be familiar. Mary was humble and obedient to God, and although she was fearful and amazed, she accepted that she was to bear the one who was both Messiah and Son of God. The blessed Virgin is certainly a great example of holiness and faith. 

The the traditional collect or prayer of the day admirably ties the significance of the Annunciation to the other events of redemption: We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought into the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

This Annunciation collect brings together multiple aspects of the message of Christ's Gospel. The One announced to the Virgin is the same One who suffered, died, and rose again to save us. Through divine grace, may we believe this Gospel and apply it to our lives in faith, hope, and charity. Thanks and praise be to God!

Lent 5 (year A)- John 11:1-45

 This Sunday’s Gospel is the famous story of Lazarus’ resurrection from John 11. The outline of events in John 11:1-45 is fairly simple. Jesus is east of the Jordan, teaching and healing, when a message arrives that His friend Lazarus is sick. Jesus continues His work, and then, despite warnings of danger, He goes to see Lazarus’ family. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. After speaking with the sisters Mary and Martha, Jesus offers a public prayer and raises Lazarus. 

Both the storyline and the dialogues included in it point to a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity and work. Raising one who has clearly been dead and buried for several days is a unique miracle. It is not the act of any mere teacher, healer, or prophet. It is a sign of the Messiah, the Christ, and it is an act that demands a spiritual response. Those who know of it should do as Martha does and confess faith in Jesus as the Christ.

In the verses that follow the raising of Lazarus (John 11:45-53), many believe in Jesus, but others, especially those with power, are frightened and angered. Some plot to eliminate Jesus as a threat to the religious and political establishment. Their reaction points us toward Christ's coming Passion. It reminds us that His very goodness leads to His death.

Jesus' great miracle confronted His contemporaries with a choice. They had to decide if He really was the Messiah, the Redeemer. And the same miracle leads to totally different reactions: some people have faith in Jesus; others oppose Him and seek to destroy Him. We still face the same choices in our lives. Will we allow His goodness and grace to produce faith or will we resist grace and oppose Him? May divine grace lead us to believe in Him and follow Him, even on the way to the Cross!

Lent 4 (year A)- John 9:1-41

 The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is a fairly long selection, John 9:1-41. This is the story of Jesus giving sight to a man who has been blind from birth. This healing on the Sabbath upsets the Pharisaic authorities in Jerusalem, and it leads to a hostile interrogation of the man, his parents, and Jesus. The man is delighted and grateful, his parents try to avoid involvement, and Jesus rebukes the Pharisees.

One could draw several points from this passage, but let us note the importance of this event in the development of Christ's ministry. Jesus tells the disciples that His time is limited and that He must work while He has time (John 9:4). He is called to do good while there is an opportunity, but His opponents try to intimidate those who benefit from His work. The opponents also show their hostility toward Jesus, a hostility that will soon lead to His death.

The world has always been filled with opposition to Jesus Christ and His work. Some people try to intimidate those who follow Jesus and benefit from His healing work. These opponents really do not like Him. In a sense, they choose to be spiritually blind.  They prefer evil and oppose goodness. They seek every opportunity to discredit Jesus and His followers, and they wish to destroy Him and grasp more power for themselves. 

This dynamic is not confined to first-century Jerusalem or the party of the Pharisees. It has existed down through Christian history, and it has become acute in our decadent age. Nevertheless, Christ and His faithful followers continue to work in a fallen world. God's goodness is often opposed, but His grace is powerful and triumphs over sin, opposition, and the cross!

Mid-Lent Reflection

 The Thursday after the Third Sunday in Lent is roughly halfway through the season of preparation leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This fact makes it an appropriate time to pause and evaluate our discipleship during the first three weeks of Lent. Have our goals been both holy and practical? Has our external practice been suitable for the season and our personal needs? Have our attitudes been sincere and devoted? Do we need to modify our goals and disciplines for the last three weeks of Lent? Do we need to put more emphasis on our Scripture reading and study? Do we need to increase our efforts or pray for better attitudes? Whatever our personal answers, let us pray for divine grace to be fervent in living faith and pious devotion! Let us continue to walk with Christ toward the cross and resurrection!