Share
Tweet
Forward
--------- Holy Week 2018 --------- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Passion Week: Journeying Toward the Paschal Mystery

Lent began over five weeks ago on Ash Wednesday. Over the course of this week, Christians around the world will re-enact and remember the days leading up to Christ's death and resurrection. This journey towards the cross began on Palm Sunday with a commemoration of Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people who confessed and praised him as the Savior King later cry out, “…crucify him, crucify him!”

On Monday and Tuesday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem from Bethany and purified the Temple, fulfilling prophecy from the Old Testament (ex. Malachi 3:1-5). In Jerusalem, the tension continued to mount between Jesus and the religious rulers. Wednesday of Holy week is traditionally called "Spy Wednesday" because the enemies of Jesus were watching him closely and looking for an opportunity to capture him. On this day, the adoration of Mary of Bethany is juxtaposed with the tragic betrayal of Judas.  

Monday of Holy Week (March 26)
Psalm 36:5-11
Scripture Readings
"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep ... How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings ... For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light..."
Isaiah 42:1-9
The righteous servant

Hebrews 9:11-15
The priest of the new covenant

John 12:1-11
Mary anoints Jesus
Prayer Form for Monday (View and Download)
Collect for Monday in Holy Week
"Almighty God, whose 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 that 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." -The Book of Common Prayer
Tuesday of Holy Week (March 27)
Psalm 71:1-14
Scripture Readings
"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel..."

Isaiah 49:1-7
The chosen servant born to redeem

1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The foolishness of the cross

John 12:20-36
The Son of Man will be lifted up
Prayer Form for Tuesday (View and Download)
Collect for Tuesday in Holy Week
"O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." -The Book of Common Prayer
Wednesday of Holy Week (March 28)
Psalm 70
Scripture Readings
"Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, 'The Lord is great!'"
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The suffering servant will be vindicated by God

Hebrews 12:1-3
Fix your eyes on Jesus

John 13:21-32
The Son of Man will be denied and glorified
Prayer Form for Wednesday (View/Download)
Collect for Wednesday in Holy Week
"Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." -The Book of Common Prayer
Art and Poetry
Spotify Playlists
Music for Listening
Enjoying this newsletter? Become a patron of the Liturgy Letter on Patreon; an on-going crowd funding service where you can commit to as little as $1 a month or set a maximum limit. Anything helps!

Thank you for your support.