Holy Week

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism…. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. BCP 264-265

The observance of Lent concludes with the celebration on Palm Sunday. During the season of Lent, we were given the opportunity to allow our pain and suffering to live. That on which we have spent a considerable amount of our life’s energy to block, shut away, and hide, was let free to be as hurtful and as terrible as it is. This good work of opening, owning, and embracing is our response to Jesus as he calls those who are heavy laden to be refreshed in him. Now, with our suffering brightly and boldly present to us, we enter Holy Week.

Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Christian year, marking Jesus’ final days on earth and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection, reminding us of his journey of love, suffering and redemption. Through our Bible reading, prayer, and supplication we become eyewitnesses and participants in his sacrifice and our salvation.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

Here, St. Paul admonishes us to take seriously the message of new life in Christ. He calls all who would believe to hold fast to the witness and proclamation,

…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures  (15:3b-4)

The tragic and glorious death of Jesus on the Cross is central to our faith. As you prepare for Holy Week, make time for Christ by taking time for yourself. It is at the center of true life. Create a space for reflection each day. Start by saying “no” to extra commitments this week and by committing to praying and reading the biblical witness of Jesus' last journey.

William Perkins, 16th century Anglican Priest and Theologian, set the stage for Holy Week reflection in this declaration:

"The serious consideration of this week, that the very Son of God Himself suffered all the pains and torments of hell on the cross for our sins, [this] is the. . .most effectual means to stir up our hearts to a godly sorrow . . . Everyone must be settled without doubt that they are the one that crucified Christ; that they are to be blamed as well as Judas, Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Jews;. . .that their sins are the thorns, nails, and spear that pierced Him."  A Declaration of the True Manner of Knowing Christ Crucified   9:13

As you pray and ponder the events of Holy Week, make time to intentionally confess your sins to God and thank Him for sending Jesus to pay the price for them in full! The act of confession is not merely a morbid exercise; it’s a chance to center your heart and remember how desperately you need a Savior—and how kind our God is to give you a perfect one in Jesus. St. John promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:19

As you become more aware of your sins through confessing them to God, you will also become more appreciative of how you have been completely cleansed through Christ’s blood shed for you on the Cross!

This act of prayer and reflection cannot take place in a vacuum, however; before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He prayed for His disciples that they would “be one” as He and the Father are one (John 17: 20-21) That oneness is not only the spiritual unity achieved through devotion, it is also the Christian fellowship of gathering together during Holy Week to live out Jesus’ prayer in fellowship and devotion.

As you make space for your Holy Week observances, begin each day with a prayer for understanding and clarity. Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you through your reading of scripture and the difficulty that this simple task may include. Take time to process what you’ve read and reflect on what it teaches you about the character of God as revealed through Jesus Christ.

Here is a Bible reading plan for you as you progress through the week.

Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem with his disciples riding a borrowed donkey. He arrived to much celebration, but it was the beginning of the end of his human life.

• Read Zechariah 9:9
• Read Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19
  

Holy Monday
On Holy Monday, Jesus asserted his authority by throwing out anyone and everyone who was doing business inside the temple complex. The Jewish leaders were less than impressed with the display of power.

• Read Isaiah 56:1-8
• Read Matthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48

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Holy Tuesday
On Holy Tuesday, temple leaders challenged Jesus by putting him to the test. Literally. They raised a number of theological debates with him and questioned both his teaching and his God-given authority.

• Read Psalm 118:19-27
• Read Psalm 110
• Read Matthew 21:23—24:51; Mark 11:27—13:37; Luke 20:1—21:36

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Anointing (Spy) Wednesday
On Spy Wednesday, Jesus continued his teaching, which only riled up Jewish leaders. The tipping point came when a woman honored Jesus by anointing him with really expensive oil. This didn't sit well with Judas, who went straight to the religious authorities and offered to deliver Jesus into their hands.

• Read Luke 21
• Read Matthew 26:1-16; John 12:1-11; Mark 14:1-11

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Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday, after celebrating the Passover with his disciples, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, where Judas betrayed him. He was arrested and tortured while Peter denied him.

• Read Isaiah 50:4-10
• Read Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–23

Good Friday
On Good Friday, the Jewish leaders, with the help of Pilate, subjected Jesus to a mock trial that resulted in a death sentence for the one who would be called the King of the Jews. He was hastily crucified and quickly buried before the Sabbath began that evening.

• Read Psalm 22:1-18
• Read Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66—23:56; John 18:28—19:37  

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Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday, not much happened...that we know of, at least. Since it was the Jewish Sabbath, all activity came to a grinding halt, and Jesus' followers had to wait until the next day to properly prepare his body for burial.

• Read Isaiah 52:13-15 and Isaiah 53
• Read Luke 23:56

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Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, a couple of women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint him for burial, but when they arrived, he wasn't there. The tomb was empty, and an angel greeted them with the news that Jesus was alive. The women hurried back to tell the others, and Jesus surprised his grieving disciples by showing up in their midst.

• Read Isaiah 52:7-10
• Read Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–49; John 20

Reflecting, confessing, and looking forward to observing Holy Week with you,

Fr. Bill+ 
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