Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: 09 April 2017

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, though in our weakness we fail,  we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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Reading: Matthew 27:45-54 (NLT)

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
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Prayer:

Sovereign God: you are our strength and our hope. Make haste to help us.

+ For your people throughout the world – that we may celebrate these holy days with reverence and devotion…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our own faith communities – that we may deepen our love for Christ in this Holy Week…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters – that they may continue to grow in faith during this season of Passover…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the city of Jerusalem – that it may be a place of peace and healing for the nations…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians who are being persecuted – that they may receive strength and courage from your presence with them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who suffer torture as Christ did – that He may be close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who have gone before us in faith – that they may journey through the valley of death to resurrection…. Lord, hear us.

God of compassion, in the death and resurrection of Jesus you show your love for us: hear our prayers, and grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“By His Wounds” – Steven Curtis Chapman

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Closing:

It was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. – Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Format adapted from Lectio Divina: USCCB Lenten Resources, 2017