holy week

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we join you on your ride into Jerusalem.  Today we hear the shouts of Hosanna!  Today we lay our coats and our palm leaves on the road, but we both know that once we get to Jerusalem everything will change.  For we know why you are going there.  You are going there to die.  And you invite us to do the same.  

     Give us the courage to ride with you this day and to walk with you this week.  Give us the strength to stay awake with you in the garden, to not abandon you in the melee, and to follow you closely all the way to Golgotha.  It is Holy Week, O Lord, so may we walk with you this week in full awareness of all that will take place—and why.  Amen.  (Journey to the Cross by Jim Branch)

Scripture: Mark 1:11

Journal: How are you feeling as Holy Week begins?  What is stirring within you?

Reflection:

            holy week

o jesus
as holy week begins
i find myself
anxious and afraid
of all that will
be required of me
in the days ahead

help me
lord jesus
to not just focus
on the dying
but also on
the being raised
to new life

help me to
always remember
that in the end
life wins

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, what was in your heart as you rode into Jerusalem?  What was on your mind?  What were your thoughts?  What were your prayers?    

     As we begin this Holy Week, may we be good companions to you on this journey of love.  Thank you for the depths to which you were willing to go in order to show us how deeply we are loved.  Amen. (Journey to the Cross by Jim Branch)