Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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

E100:14.a – The Cross of Christ

The Last Supper – Luke 22:1-46 (ESV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Luke 22  Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

The Passover with the Disciples

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Who Is the Greatest?

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
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“Rise, My Soul to Watch and Pray” – Lori Sealy

“Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” by Johann B. Freystein, 1671-1718

Rise, my soul, to watch and pray, From thy sleep awaken; Be not by the evil day, Unawares o’ertaken. For the Foe, Well we know, Oft his harvest reapeth, While the Christian sleepeth.

Watch against the devil’s snares, Lest asleep he find thee; For indeed no pains he spares, To deceive and blind thee. Satan’s prey, Oft are they, Who secure are sleeping, And no watch are keeping.

Watch and pray. Sin is crouching at the door. Watch and pray, then pray some more.

Rise, My Soul to watch and pray, from thy sleep awaken; be not by the evil day, unawares o’ertaken, for the foe, well we know, oft his harvest reapeth, while the Christian sleepeth.

Watch and pray. Sin is crouching at the door. Watch and pray, then pray some more.

Watch against the devil’s snares, lest asleep he finds thee; for indeed no pain he spares, to deceive and blind thee. Satan’s prey oft are they, who secure are sleeping, and no watch are keeping.

Watch and pray. Sin is crouching at the door. Watch and pray, then pray some more.

Watch! Let not the wicked world, with its power defeat thee. Watch lest with her pomp unfurled, she betray and cheat thee. Watch and see lest there be, faithless friends to charm thee, who but seek to harm thee.

Watch and pray, sin is crouching at the door. Watch and pray, then pray some more. ‘Cause Satan longs to sift you, a sinful heart afflicts you, but Christ is interceding evermore!

Watch against thyself my soul, lest with grace you trifle; let not self thy thoughts control, nor God’s mercy stifle. Pride and sin lurk within, all thy hopes to shatter, heed not when they flatter.

Watch and pray! Watch and pray!

Rise, my soul to watch and pray, to the Lord unceasing. He will free thee, be thy stay, strength and faith increasing. O Lord, bless in distress, and let nothing swerve me, from the will to serve thee.

Watch and pray!

Closing Sentence

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. – Philippians 1:6

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