{"id":1593,"date":"2021-03-31T14:12:39","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T14:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=1593"},"modified":"2021-03-31T14:12:39","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T14:12:39","slug":"holy-wednesday-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/31\/holy-wednesday-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Holy Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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“Light in Early Spring” by www.holgersbilderwelt.de is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

HOLY WEEK SERVICES<\/p>\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES:<\/p>\n\n\n

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. \u2014Hebrews 12.1-2<\/p>\n\n\n

PRAYER:<\/p>\n\n\n

God, you touch our lives
\nwith mystery and hope.
\nWe move through this week,
\nready to see your power working through us.
\nHelp us to be open to your Word,
\nand to answer your call among us.
\nHelp us to run the race that is set before,
\nand remind us we never run alone.
\nIn the name of Jesus. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n

READING:<\/p>\n\n\n

The Lord GOD helps me;
\ntherefore I have not been disgraced;
\ntherefore I have set my face like flint,
\nand I know that I shall not be put to shame;
\nhe who vindicates me is near.
\nWho will contend with me? Let us stand up together.
\nWho are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
\nIt is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
\n\u2014Isaiah 50.7-9a<\/p>\n\n\n

REFLECTION:<\/p>\n\n\n

Most often we look to the psalmist for expressive poetry and a catalogue of human emotion. Today we find it in Isaiah 50: flint-faced, never disgraced, vindicated by the God who is ever near. We are drawn in to the description of this God, and the polarities that illustrate this divine helpfulness. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.<\/p>\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the closest version of this homily to faithfulness found in the psalms is perhaps 118: “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” In a bit of a role reversal, the psalmist sounds very practical, almost down-to-earth in this assessment of God’s faithfulness. What can mere mortals do to me when God is by my side? Nothing!<\/p>\n\n\n

We need some of this attitude when confronted by trouble in this life. Yes, there is peril all around us; yes, the days ahead look bleak; yes, the uncertainty of these times is wearing us down; but the One who vindicates me is near. Let us stand up together! Let us stand up and run that race, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n

HYMN: Take up your cross (verse 2)<\/p>\n\n\n