Holy Saturday

Saturday, April 19            

Job 14:1-14

Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16

1 Peter 4:1-8

Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

Holy Saturday is a day of somber waiting. For someone like me who naturally tends toward melancholy, Job’s voice resonates.

Mortals, born of woman,

are of few days and full of trouble.

They spring up like flowers and wither away;

like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.

Job 14:1-2 (NIV)

It must have been awful for the original followers of Christ during the dark time after Jesus’ crucifixion and before the resurrection. If the apostles felt any hope, we certainly don’t hear about it in the Bible. I imagine they felt betrayed and abandoned, just like we do when we don’t feel God’s presence in our lives. Although the Bible is full of hope and redemption, during the dark times, we often miss it too. Or choose not to see it, really, because we know it is out there, somewhere. It is part of our human condition, I guess, this struggle to find God in our broken, limited world. 

But if we believe in the promises of God through Jesus Christ, hope is infused in every possible earthly situation. I see this sentiment expressed over and over in these beautiful meditations written by members of my church family. This is why I belong to a church, to be part of this community of hope. We’re all searching for God together. It’s nice to know we are not alone in our journey. God never abandons us, and, in addition, this loving God of ours has given us the gift of each other to help us along.

We not only endure; we thrive. And we are redeemed.

Evelyn Snow

Good Friday

Friday, April 18

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm 22

Hebrews 10:16-25 or 4:14-16

John 18:1-19:42

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

- Traditional Spiritual

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 17 

Exodus 12:1-4, 5-10, 11-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

How Much of a Servant Must I Be?

“…Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he powered water in a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with a towel that was wrapped around him…” John 13:5

I read that when Jesus started to wash the feet of his disciples, one of them called Peter felt that Jesus was out of his way because it should have been the disciples to wash Jesus’ feet rather he wash theirs. Jesus responded to Peter that to have a relationship with him (Jesus) means to submit to that fact of humility in service. It is a very uncomfortable fact to humbly serve those who are under you whether children, employees, volunteers, men and women of all ages and off all races and of all various social status. As I think more deeply about this act of Jesus, I ask: How much of a servant do I need to be? If he as God in the flesh was willing to be so humble and serve like this, doesn’t it mean that I have to become humble and serve in this way so as to glorify God? Is this not a principle of selfless service? May God help us to know that greatness in the kingdom of Heaven doesn’t come from taking the position of honor but that it is the servant hood attitude like that of Jesus that bestows on us honor. Yes, like Jesus was glorified to sit at the right hand of God!

The Rev. Dr. Israel Ahimbisibwe

Assistant Rector, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, and

Faculty Member and Parent, Holy Spirit Episcopal School

Wednesday of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 16

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 12:21-32

Today is Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday, Ugly Wednesday, and Black Wednesday, leading us up to the unfolding of the great drama of Christ’s death on the cross.  John’s Gospel tells the story of Judas betraying Our Lord to the Sanhedrin for 30 pieces of silver. This betrayal is the first step of Christ’s pain and suffering. Thinking of this and the agony that was to come must have seemed overwhelming, even to Christ, who was alone in his sufferings. We know that He prayed to His heavenly Father as He suffered, and this we should apply to our own circumstances.

There are days in our lives when our burden seems extra heavy – days when our difficulties seem to multiply with no relief in sight. My mother used to tell me that I was my own best friend in my troubles, but even more than that, God is our best friend. We are alone as Christ was alone, and that’s when we should take Christ’s example and fill our hearts with prayer. When we see our friends and families burdened with worries and troubles, it’s our responsibility to direct them toward Christ and the life of prayer that He calls us to live.

It’s our job to persevere because He persevered for us. We will persevere if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His great love for us. His sacrifice brought us the gift of Salvation. His perseverance should bring us the gift of strength and renewed hope.

Elizabeth Bremner

Tuesday of Holy Week

Tuesday, April 15

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 71:1-14

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

John 12:20-36

John 12:20-36

No one who thinks that he is superior will even be loved in this world or in the afterlife.  The humble in this life will be glorified forever.  Remember that those who appear to have the most, including those who live in affluent areas or drive a luxury car, may have experienced a truly rough life.  Also if there is bullying, it does not always come from those who seem to have the most.  It can also come from the underprivileged.  Remember that the lord loves us all. 

Betty Bayley