Please join us for Holy Week

Lent began on February 14, and now we have reached the final week, a timely opportunity to take a few minutes each day and prayerfully reflect on Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to Easter.  All you need is to read a verse from the Bible story printed right here and reflect on the prayer that is offered and how that might feed and nurture your spirit each day this week.

Today’s post includes readings and prayers for what the Christian Church calls Holy Week, the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, including We follow Jesus’ fateful steps as our guide through this season, as we prepare to celebrate Easter and new life, listening for and responding to God’s loving invitation.

With grace, mercy and peace on your journey.

Glen Stoudt, OUC Spiritual Director

Week 7 - Wisdom from the Gospels:  A Season of Courage

Palm Sunday, March 24 – Sixth Sunday in Lent - Remembering the Resurrection (John 11:25-26)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
Living Resurrection Promise, who reaches beyond the threat and fear of death,
speak boldly to my heart this Palm Sunday and motivate me to trust anew that “in life, in death, in life beyond death, you are with us.
We are not alone.”

Monday, March 25 – Lent Day 35 (Mark 11:11,12:41-43)
Then [Jesus] entered Jerusalem and went into the temple ...  He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then [Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
Quiet Inspiration of Generosity, increase my capacity to notice the examples of selfless giving in my midst, so I can model my response after their faithfulness, in Christ’s Spirit.

Tuesday, March 26 – Lent Day 36 (Matthew 23:1,37,39)
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples ... “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
... For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Bless you, Mother Hen God, for expressing through Jesus your ‘gathering in’ impulse…
during these final days of Lent, I choose again to willingly open my heart to your welcoming wings.

Wednesday, March 27 – Lent Day 37 (John 13:12-15)
After [Jesus] had washed their feet ... he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 
My Lord and Teacher, I think I do appreciate what your example means.
So as my Lenten journey reaches its fulfilment,
I continue striving to translate your model of servanthood into my daily practice.

Maundy Thursday, March 28 – Lent Day 38 (Luke 22:14,19-20)
When the hour came, [Jesus] took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. ... Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
O Maker of Living Memories, may Jesus’ sacrament of bread and cup encourage me to carry the reminder of your never-ending promise in my heart ... to love as I am loved.

Good Friday, March 29 – Lent Day 39 (Matthew 20:32-33)
Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). ... It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. ... At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice ... “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ... Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Compassionate Spirit, as my Lenten journey draws to a close in the midst of such grief,
I bear witness to the sorrow I feel for all cruel and unjust things that plague humanity. 
Come and stay with me awhile, as I pray and prepare to face tomorrow.

Holy Saturday, March 30 – Lent Day 40 (Luke 23:55-56)
The women who had come with [Jesus] from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
Compassionate Spirit, as my Lenten journey draws to a close in the midst of such grief,
I bear witness to the sorrow I feel for all cruel and unjust things that plague humanity. 
Come and stay with me awhile, as I pray and prepare to face tomorrow.

Easter Sunday, March 31 – The Day of Resurrection (John 20:11,14-16)
Mary [Magdalene] stood weeping outside [Jesus’] tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;... she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. [He] said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Teacher!”
This morning my longing spirit turns toward the rising sun and I imagine you
calling me by name, Living Lord.  Like Mary, with a heart overflowing in love,
the name by which I know you most intimately forms on my lips, “...................!” 
  And with a deep breath I welcome the promise of new life you offer.  Thank you!.