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PASSION SUNDAY / HOLY WEEK—Servant Song/Suffering Servant/Passion Narrative Below is a prepared meditation for Passion Sunday through Holy Week. It is designed to use as a Praying With Beads" devotion. You may choose to use it in its entirety or in parts however you choose. May it be a blessed experience walking with Jesus through these holy days of the Passion. |
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Cross |
The Cross As The Gospel —I
Corinthians 1. 18-25 |
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Invitatory |
Servant Song —Isaiah 42 |
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Cruciform |
Servant Song —Isaiah
42 Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for the Holy God, find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. |
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Week I |
Suffering Servant —Isaiah 52 “You will prosper, my Servant, you will be raised up and highly exalted. Even as the crowds were appalled after seeing you—you were so disfigured as to no longer look human. So will the crowds be shocked at you, and rulers will stand speechless before you; for they will see something never told and witness something never heard: ”Who would have believed what we have just heard? When was the arm of YHWH revealed in you? You grew up like a sapling before us, like a root in parched soil! You had no stately form or majesty to make us look at you, there was no beauty to attract us. You were rejected and despised by all; you know suffering intimately, and you are acquainted with sickness. When we saw you, we turned our faces away; we despised you and did not value you. Yet you bore our illnesses and carried our suffering. We thought you were being punished, struck down by God, and brought low—but it was for our offenses that you were pierced, for our sins that you were crushed. Upon you lies a chastening that brings us wholeness, and through your wounds we are healed. |
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Cruciform |
Servant Song —Isaiah
42 Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for the Holy God, find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. |
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Week II |
Suffering Servant —Isaiah 52 All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us goes our own way. But YHWH has laid upon you the guilt of us all. Though treated harshly, you bore it humbly and never opened your mouth. Like a lamb being led to slaughter, or a sheep before shearers, you were silent and never opened your mouth. Seized by force and condemned, you were taken away; who would ever have foreseen your destiny? You were taken from the land of the living through the sin of my people, who deserved the punishment. You were buried with evildoers and entombed with the rich, though you had done no wrong, and deceit was not found in your mouth But YHWH chose to crush and afflict you; if you make yourself a reparation offering, you will see your descendants, you will prolong your days, and the will of YHWH will prevail through you. Through your suffering, you will see contentment and light. By your knowledge, my Righteous One, my Servant, you will justify many by taking their guilt upon yourself. Therefore, I will grant you a reward among the great, and you will divide the spoils with the mighty; for you exposed yourself to death itself. And you allowed yourself to be counted among criminals, while you bore the guilt of many and interceded for sinners. |
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Cruciform |
Servant Song —Isaiah
42 Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for the Holy God, find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. |
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Week III |
Stations of the Cross 1-7 —The Passion Narrative (1) Jesus prays alone. —Luke 22:39-48 Then Jesus went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of
Olives; the disciples accompanied him. When they reached the place, Jesus
said to them, “Pray that you not be put to the test.” Then Jesus withdrew
about a stone’s throw from them, knelt down and prayed, “Abba, if it’s your
will, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” When Jesus
rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, exhausted
with grief. He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Wake up, and pray that you
not be subjected to the trial.” While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd
suddenly appeared with Judas, one of the Twelve, at their head. Judas came
over to Jesus to embrace him, but Jesus said, “Judas, are you betraying the Chosen One with a
kiss?”
(2) Jesus is arrested. Matthew 26:45–56 Finally Jesus returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping? Still taking your rest? The hour is upon us—the Chosen
One is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us be on our
way! Look, my betrayer is here.” While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one
of the Twelve, arrived—accompanied by a great crowd with swords and clubs. They
had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas had arranged
to give them a signal. “Whomever I embrace is the one,” he had said; “take
hold of him.” He immediately went over to Jesus and said, “Shalom, Rabbi!”
and embraced him. Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, just do what you’re here to
do!” At that moment, the crowd surrounded them, laid hands on Jesus and
arrested him. Suddenly, one of those who accompanied Jesus drew a sword and
slashed at the high priest’s attendant, cutting off an ear. Jesus said, “Put
your sword back where it belongs. Those who live by the sword die by the
sword. Don’t you think I can call on my Abba God to provide over twelve
legions of angels at a moment’s notice? But then how would the scriptures be
fulfilled, which say it must happen this way?” Then Jesus said to the crowd,
“Am I a robber, that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me? Every
day I sat teaching in the Temple precincts, yet you never arrested me.” All
this happened in fulfillment of the writings of the prophets. Then all the
disciples deserted Jesus and fled.
(3) Sanhedrin tries Jesus. Mark 14:52–64 Then they led Jesus off to the high priest, and all the chief
priests, elders and religious scholars gathered together. Peter followed at a
distance right into the high priest’s courtyard, where he found a seat with
the Temple guard and began to warm himself at the fire. The chief priests
with the whole Sanhedrin were busy soliciting testimony against Jesus that
might lead to his death, but they could not find any. Many gave false
testimony against Jesus, but their stories did not agree. Some, for instance,
on taking the stand, testified falsely by saying, “We heard him declare, ‘I
will destroy this Temple made by human hands, and in three days I will build
another made without hands!’” But even in this, their testimony did not
agree. The high priest stood up before the court and began to interrogate
Jesus: “Have you no answer to what these people are testifying against you?” But
Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Once again the high priest
interrogated him: “Are you the Messiah, the Only Begotten of the Blessed
One?” “I am! And you will see the Chosen One seated at the right hand of the
Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” At that, the high priest tore
his robes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have
heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They all said Jesus was guilty
and condemned him to death. Some of them began to spit on Jesus. They
blindfolded and hit him, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards beat him too. (4) Pilate tries Jesus. John 18:28–37 At daybreak, they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the
Praetorium. The Temple authorities didn’t enter the Praetorium, for they
would have become ritually unclean and unable to eat the Passover seder. So
Pilate went out to them and asked, “What charges do you bring against this
person?” They responded, “We wouldn’t have brought him to you if he weren’t a
criminal.” Pilate told them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him by your own
Law.” The Temple authorities replied, “We don’t have the power to put anyone
to death.” This was to fulfill what Jesus had said about the way he was going
to die. So Pilate reentered the Praetorium and summoned Jesus. “Are you the
King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own
accord, or have others told you about me?” Pilate replied, “Am I Jewish? It
is your own people and the chief priests who hand you over to me. What have
you done?” Jesus answered, “My realm is not of this world; if it belonged to
this world, my people would have fought to keep me out of the hands of the
Temple authorities. No, my realm is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So
you’re a King?” Jesus replied, “You say I’m a King. I was born and came into
the world for one purpose—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who seeks
the truth hears my voice.” (5) Pilate sentences Jesus. Mark 15:6–15 Now whenever there was a festival, Pilate would release for them
one prisoner—anyone they asked for. There was a prisoner named Barabbas who
was jailed along with the rioters who had committed murder in the uprising. When
the crowd came to ask that Pilate honor the custom, Pilate rejoined, “Do you
want me to release for you the King of the Jews” Pilate was aware, of course,
that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. But
the chief priests incited the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead. Pilate
again asked them, “What am I to do with the one you call the King of the
Jews?” The people shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate asked. “What
crime has he committed?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” So
Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and, after
having Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. (6) Jesus wears crown. John 19:1-5 So Pilate ordered that Jesus be flogged. Then the soldiers wove
a crown out of thorns and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple
robe. They went up to him repeatedly and said, “All hail the King of the
Jews!” And they struck him in the face. Pilate came outside once more and
said to the crowd, “Look, I’ll bring him out here to make you understand that
I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out wearing the purple robe and the
crown of thorns, and Pilate said, “Look upon the one you accuse!” When the
chief priests and the Temple guards saw Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him!
Crucify him!” (7) Jesus carries his cross. John 10:17–21 This is why Abba God loves me—because I lay down my life, only
to take it up again. No one takes my life from me; I lay it down freely. I
have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it up again. This
command I received from my Abba.” These words once more divided the Temple
authorities. Many said, “He is possessed, he’s raving mad! Why do you listen
to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of a person possessed by a
demon. Could a demon open the eyes of a blind person?”
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Cruciform |
Servant Song —Isaiah
42 Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for the Holy God, find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. |
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Week IV |
Stations of the Cross 8-14 —The Passion Narrative (8) Simon carries cross. Luke 23:20-26 Pilate wanted to release Jesus, so he addressed them again. But they shouted back, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Yet a third time, Pilate spoke
to the crowd, “What wrong has this Jesus done? I’ve found nothing that calls
for death! Therefore, I’ll have him flogged, and then I’ll release him.” But
they demanded that Jesus be crucified, and their shouts increased in volume. Pilate
decided that their demands should be met. So he released Barabbas, the one
who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and Jesus was handed over to
the crowd. As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon—a Cyrenean who was just
coming in from the fields—and forced him to carry the cross behind Jesus. (9) Jesus speaks to the women. Luke 23:27–31 A large crowd was following, many of them women who were beating
their breasts and wailing for him. At one point, Jesus turned to these women
and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me! Weep rather for
yourselves and for your children! The time is coming when it will be said,
‘Blessed are the childless, the wombs that have never given birth and the
breasts that have never nursed.’ Then people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall
on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us up!’ For if they do these things when the
wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (10) Jesus is crucified. Luke 23:32–38 Two others were also led off with Jesus, criminals who were to
be put to death. When they had reached the place called The Skull, they
crucified Jesus there—together with the criminals, one on his right and one
on his left. And Jesus said, “Abba forgive them. They don’t know what they
are doing.” Then they divided his garments, rolling dice for them. The people
stood there watching. The rulers, however, jeered him and said, “He saved
others, let him save himself—if he really is the Messiah of God, the Chosen
One!” The soldiers also mocked him. They served Jesus sour wine and said, “If
you are really the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was an inscription
above Jesus that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals
who hung there beside him insulted Jesus, too, saying, “Are you really the
Messiah? Then save yourself—and us!” (11) Criminals speak to Jesus. Luke 23:39–49 One of the criminals who hung there beside him insulted Jesus,
too, saying, “Are you really the Messiah? Then save yourself—and us!” But the
other answered the first with a rebuke: “Don’t you even fear God? We are only
paying the price for what we have done, but this one has done nothing wrong!”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your glory.” Jesus
replied, “The truth is, today you’ll be with me in paradise!” It was about
noon, and darkness fell on the whole land until three in the afternoon, because
of an eclipse of the sun. Then the curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two, and Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Abba, into your hands I
commit my spirit.” Saying this, Jesus breathed for the last time. The
centurion who saw this glorified God, saying, “Surely this one was innocent.”
When the crowds that had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened,
they returned home beating their breasts and weeping. All the acquaintances
of Jesus and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood at a
distance, looking on. (12) Jesus speaks to Mary and John. John 19:23–27 After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothing
and divided it into four pieces, one piece for each soldier. They also took
the seamless robe. The soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it. We
can throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to fulfill the
scripture, “They divided my garments among them and, for my clothing, they
cast lots.” And this is what they did. Standing close to Jesus’ cross were
his mother; his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary of
Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing
there, he said to his mother, “Here is your son.” Then he said to his
disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that moment, the disciple took her into
his household. (13) Jesus dies on the cross. John 19:28–34 After this, Jesus knew that now all was completed, and to
fulfill scripture perfectly, he said, “I am thirsty.” There was a jar of
cheap wine nearby, so they put a sponge soaked in the wine on a hyssop stick
and raised it to his lips. Jesus took the wine and said, “It is finished.”
Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was Preparation Day,
the Temple authorities asked Pilate to let them break the legs of those crucified,
and take their bodies from the crosses. They requested this to prevent the
bodies remaining on the cross during the Sabbath, since that particular
Sabbath was a solemn feast day. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of
first one and then the other who had been crucified with Jesus. But when they
came to Jesus, they found that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his
legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced Jesus’ side with a lance, and
immediately blood and water poured out. (14) Jesus is laid in tomb. John 19:38–42 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus—but a
secret one, for fear of the Temple authorities—asked Pilate for permission to
remove the body of Jesus, and Pilate granted it. So Joseph came and took it
away. Nicodemus came as well—the same one who had first come to Jesus by
night—and he brought about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh
and aloes. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in
linen cloths, according to the Jewish burial custom. There was a garden in
the place where Jesus had been crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb
where no one had ever been buried. Since it was the day before the Sabbath
and the tomb was nearby, they buried Jesus there.
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Cruciform |
Servant Song —Isaiah 42 Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for the Holy God, find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. |
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Invitatory |
The Reproaches O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? I led you forth from the land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. [R] Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us. I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna; I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. [R] I made you branches of my vineyard and gave you the water of salvation, but when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar and gall and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior. [R] I went before you in a pillar of cloud, but you have led me to the judgment hall of Pilate. I brought you to a land of freedom and prosperity, but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me. [R] I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I raised you on high with great power, but you have hanged me on the cross. [R] My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a servant, but you draw the sword to strike in my name and seek high places in my kingdom.[R] I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, but you scatter and deny and abandon me. I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you, but you close your hearts to guidance. [R] I called you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for my clothing. I prayed that you all may be one, but you continue to quarrel and divide. [R] I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel, but you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt. [R] I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. I was hungry but you gave me no food, thirsty but you gave me no drink. I was a stranger but you did not welcome me, naked but you did not clothe me, sick and in prison but you did not visit me. [R] |
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Cross |
Luke 9:23 Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. |
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All Scripture quotations come from: Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. |
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WORSHIP IN INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND PROGRESSIVE THOUGHT
THE PASSION AND HOLY WEEK
WHY A BLOG?
As a clergyperson with a disability now retired, this is my humble attempt to provide a ministry that some will find helpful. I have always focused on be inclusive and have struggled with the church's tradition of referring to God and humankind with masculine names and pronouns. Since the 1970's, thanks to my dear sister-in-law, I have been aware of the discrimination of women and have worked in the parish and community for equal rights with an equity of access to the resources that add blessing to life. I hope this site is of meaning to those who read it and worship with me and others within it. Peace.