Monday, March 17, 2008
From AscensionNYC
Monday in Holy Week
by Jennifer Landis
Psalm 36:5-11
Isaiah 42:1-9
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
"Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial'" (John 12:7).
Mary's action in this story, preparing for Jesus' death, shocks those gathered at the home of Lazarus. I myself have a difficult time imagining doing such a thing or even witnessing it. Yet as we are at the beginning of Holy Week, we too have been preparing during Lent for Jesus' death. Be it giving up something like sweets or a bad habit; adding something to prayer life, such as reading these devotionals; or participating in a Lenten retreat — all of these are, for many of us, preparation for much of what we will encounter in the week that is ahead of us and for meeting God at the cross and crucifixion.
At church, we are surrounded with this preparation throughout Lent. The changes in our liturgy, the absence of flowers, and, generally, how everything seems to be stripped down to aid us as we reflect individually and as a community about our own efforts and struggles to seek God in our lives and in the people and world around us.
This week, we may fast on Friday, or leave work early enough to get our feet washed on Thursday, or get up earlier for prayer and reflection or participate in the vigil at the Altar of Repose. And we even may prepare ourselves in ways that we did not anticipate that, like Mary, might be the gestures or prayers that are our own unique encounters with Jesus Christ.
Today's Collect:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 36:5-11
Isaiah 42:1-9
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
"Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial'" (John 12:7).
Mary's action in this story, preparing for Jesus' death, shocks those gathered at the home of Lazarus. I myself have a difficult time imagining doing such a thing or even witnessing it. Yet as we are at the beginning of Holy Week, we too have been preparing during Lent for Jesus' death. Be it giving up something like sweets or a bad habit; adding something to prayer life, such as reading these devotionals; or participating in a Lenten retreat — all of these are, for many of us, preparation for much of what we will encounter in the week that is ahead of us and for meeting God at the cross and crucifixion.
At church, we are surrounded with this preparation throughout Lent. The changes in our liturgy, the absence of flowers, and, generally, how everything seems to be stripped down to aid us as we reflect individually and as a community about our own efforts and struggles to seek God in our lives and in the people and world around us.
This week, we may fast on Friday, or leave work early enough to get our feet washed on Thursday, or get up earlier for prayer and reflection or participate in the vigil at the Altar of Repose. And we even may prepare ourselves in ways that we did not anticipate that, like Mary, might be the gestures or prayers that are our own unique encounters with Jesus Christ.
Today's Collect:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
