Holy Monday

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Early Christian writing reveals that Holy Week has been marked since at least the 4th century. One such writer, a Christian noblewoman named Etheria, wrote from the Holy Land back to the women in her community describing daily worship in the week leading up to Easter. It is in this tradition that we share services this week.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES:

Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations. — Isaiah 42.5-6

PRAYER:

Merciful God,
as we enter Holy Week
and ready ourselves for daily prayer.
Turn our hearts again to Jerusalem,
to the life, death. and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Bring us at the last with him and all the faithful
to your new Jerusalem,
your kingdom of peace and justice for all.
We ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

READING: Psalm 36

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!

REFLECTION

Sacred literature is filled with references to the gifts found in the Lord’s house. In our short passage from Psalm 36 there is feasting, abundance, delight, light, and the fountain of life! What a place to shelter! Yet as we begin Holy Week, it’s hard to focus on delight in the midst of the growing gloom, and the event that will dominate this week.

Our task, however, is to hold these two things in tension. Even while plots thickened, and friendships were tested, and intentions were unclear, Jesus would have those around him remember the abundance of the Living God. Even as the destination of this long journey becomes clear, Jesus would have his friends delight in the gift of life.

The link between the abundance and the growing gloom is shelter. All people may take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. Whatever you are experiencing this week, wherever your find yourself, however you carry yourself, there is a place for you under the shelter of God’s wings. This is how we experience God’s steadfast love: sheltered, held, and surrounded by all that God gives. Amen.

HYMN: Tree of Life

Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
stumbling though our steps may be,
one with you in joy and sorrow,
we the river, you the sea,
we the river, you the sea.

PRAYER

Let us pray, brothers and sisters,
for the holy church of God throughout the world,
that God may guide it and gather it together
so that we may worship God in peace and tranquility.

God of power and love,
you have shown your compassion in Jesus Christ.
Guide the work of the church.
Help it to persevere in faith
and to proclaim your name to people everywhere.
Let us pray for elders and leaders
and for all who serve the church
with the gifts God gives them.

Strengthen us as we ascend to the Holy Places.
walk with us, Lord, as we remember this time.
Amen.

BLESSING:

The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4.5b-7