Prepare: Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

John 19:38-42 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus […]

Prepare: Good Friday

John 19:25-30 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here […]

Prepare: Maundy Thursday

John 13: 31b-35   Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for […]

Prepare: Wednesday of Holy Week

John 13:21-32 At supper with his friends, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples– the one whom Jesus loved– was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned […]

Prepare: Tuesday in Holy Week

John 12:27-36   “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say– `Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing […]

Prepare: Monday in Holy Week

John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ […]

Prepare: Palm Sunday

John 12:12-16 “The great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord– the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and […]

Prepare: Entering Holy Week

Tomorrow, as we enter Jerusalem triumphantly with Jesus on Palm Sunday, we also enter into Holy Week.  This Sunday is when palms are waving, shouts ring out “Hosanna!” and crowds proclaim Jesus as a messenger of God and the soon-to-be-reigning “King of Israel.”  This glorious scene is bittersweet, though, even as we wave our own […]