tuesday before Easter
Unexpected. We get jaded. We have heard it all. Few things surprise and startle us anymore - we get real time feedback of every tragedy and every news worthy story - we hear it as it unfolds; and over time nothing really shocks us. Forecasts of everything from the future stock price to the weather prepares us for anything. We woke up to a covering of snow this morning and just 60 or so years ago - before doppler radar and computer weather modeling - it would have been “unexpected.” Israel expected a king - a king like David and they expected a prophet - a prophet like Moses; but the Son of God? God in the flesh sent by the Father above? How? God is one. Unexpected, to say the least. It is all coming to a head on this Tuesday of Holy Week as Jesus makes his words more clear, bolder and as he confronts the religious leaders, sealing his fate.
Old Testament: Isaiah 49.1-6
New Testament: John 12.37-50
Psalm: 22 & 25
Prayer: We cast our prayers at the feet of Christ our saviour, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection:
You went up to Jerusalem to undergo the Passion and thus enter into glory:
lead your Church safely through to your eternal Paschal feast.
It was by your will that, as you hung on the cross, your side was pierced by the soldier’s lance –
we too are wounded: heal us.
By your decree, the cross has become the tree of life:
give its fruit to all who are reborn in baptism.
Hanging from that tree you pardoned the penitent thief:
we too are sinners: pardon us.
Almighty and ever-living God, make us celebrate the Lord’s passion worthily
and thereby deserve pardon for our sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
[…] Stephen then gives one of the longest speeches in Acts if it is in fact not the longest tuesday before Easter - perigrinatio.com 04/07/2009 Unexpected. We get jaded. We have heard it all. Few things surprise […]