Holy Wednesday

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Our shift online in the midst of crisis allows us to embrace the tradition of Holy Week services. From Holy Monday to Holy Saturday, we will share a short service each day—as we prepare for the resurrection of our Lord.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay! —Psalm 70.4-5

PRAYER:

You, Lord, are our help and our deliverer:
you rescue us when we falter,
and you hold us in our time of need.
Draw close, this day,
and help us as we pray.
Surround us with your Spirit,
and remind us of the great cloud of witnesses
that are ever near.
In the name of our Redeemer, we pray.
Amen.

READING: Hebrews 12.1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

REFLECTION

The art of theological reflection means drawing the Word together with our experience, and discovering something new about both. Pondering this passage from Hebrews, I would say that the image of running a race is pretty far removed from what is happening right now. Certainly, we must have perseverance in the face of this crisis, but a race is not the first image I would reach for.

Unless it’s a marathon. Like this crisis, a marathon is something to be endured. It’s uncomfortable, it’s unnatural, and even those who train can falter. There is also the same emotional range: lighter moments, some fear, and even anger. One of our coaches said that there would be a moment—after about 35 kilometres—that we might lash out: and sure enough, it happened. This is my confession.

The reason we read this passage in Holy Week is much the same. Lent and Holy Week can feel like a marathon, making our way to the cross and all that the journey entails. Those who have spent time in candid self-reflection may feel shame. Some grow weary, and some may lose heart. But Jesus endured the cross for sinners, dying that we might live. Recall that his last word, on that far away hill, was “forgive.”

HYMN: Take up your cross (verse 2)

Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
Christ’s strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.

PRAYER

Help us, God,
to persevere in prayer.
Guide our hearts as we turn to you,
and give us the words
to express our need for your aid.
Help those dear to us,
and help the countless others who struggle
in the face of illness and death.
Remember everyone assisting others:
give them courage
and help them endure.
We pray in the name of the pioneer
and perfecter of our faith,
Jesus the Christ, Amen.

BLESSING:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless
until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23