MICAH 6.8

THE FRIDAY EVENING OF HOLY WEEK—THE FOURTH ANOINTING
A PREPARED MEDITATION DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A PRAYER AND A BEAD. YOU MAY, HOWEVER, CHOOSE TO USE THE FOLLOWING IN WHATEVER MANNER IS MEANINGFUL FOR YOU.
		CROSS	Merciful God, your Beloved and Anointed One suffered the shame of the cross. Save us from hardness of heart, that, seeing him who died for us, we may repent, confess our sin, and receive your overflowing love, in your Only Begotten One, in whom you are well pleased, our Redeemer, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
		INVITATORY	Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom your Beloved and Anointed One was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
		CRUCIFORM	Psalm 22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far away, so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? I cry all day, my God, but you never answer; I call all night long, and sleep deserts me. But you, Holy One—you sit enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors put their trust in you; they trusted and you rescued them; they cried to you and were saved; they trusted you and were never disappointed.
		WEEK 1	John 20. 38-42 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth. These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
		CRUCIFORM	Psalm 22 Yet here I am, more worm than human, the scorn of humanity, an object of ridicule: all who see me mock me; they shake their heads and sneer, “You trust in God? Ha! Let God save you now! If God is your friend, let God rescue you!” Yet you drew me out of the womb; you nestled me in my mother’s bosom; you cradled me in your lap from my birth; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Don’t stand aside now that trouble is near—I have no one to help me!
		WEEK 2	John 20. 38-42 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth. These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
		CRUCIFORM	Psalm 22 My enemies are like a herd of bulls surrounding me, like the strong bulls of Bashan closing in on me; with jaws open wide to swallow me, they’re like lions tearing their prey, and roaring. I am like water draining away; my bones are all disjointed; my heart is like wax melting inside me. My strength is dried up like a piece of clay pottery and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth: you lay me down in dusty death. A pack of dogs surrounds me; a gang of brigands close me in; they pierce my hands and feet. I can count every one of my bones, and there they stare at me, gloating. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothes.
		WEEK 3	John 20. 38-42 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth. These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
		CRUCIFORM	Psalm 22 But you, O God Most High, don’t be far off! My strength, hurry to help me! Rescue my life from the sword, my dear life from the power of these dogs! Save me from the lion’s mouth, my poor soul from the wild bull’s horns! Then I will proclaim your Name to my sisters and brothers, and praise you in the full assembly: “You who worship YHWH, give praise! Daughters of Leah, daughters of Rachel, glorify O God Most High! Sons of Jacob, fall down and worship! For God has not despised—not disdained—the suffering of those in pain! God didn’t hide but answered them when they cried for help!” You are the theme of my praise in the Great Assembly, and I will fulfill my vows in the presence of your worshipers.
		WEEK 4	John 20. 38-42 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth. These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
		CRUCIFORM	Psalm 22 Those who are poor will eat and be satisfied, those who seek you will give you praise—long life to their hearts! The whole earth, from one end to the other, will remember and come back to you; all the families of the nations will bow down to you. For yours is the Realm, you Ruler of nations! Those who had feasted and devoured the poor—now they’ll bow down; the most affluent in the land will kneel before you. They all go down to the dust and none can keep themselves alive. But my children will be faithful to you, and they will be told about God Most High, for generations to come. They will come and proclaim your justice to a people yet unborn: “All this God Most High has done!”
		INVITATORY	Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Beloved of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was God's Begotten One, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
		CROSS	Lamb of God, being human, you knew the pain the cross would inflict; being divine, you knew it was the only way we could be redeemed. We praise you for willingly suffering a cruel death so that we may experience the glories of heaven. And so we thank you for the redemption of creation… for the sacrifice of your servants around the world… for your work as it continues in our community… for the sacrifice of those who serve us in your name… for our redemption… While your death and resurrection assure us of your victory over evil, we have yet to experience that reality in its fullest. And so today we pray for creation and its care… for the nations of the world… for our nation and its leaders… for this community and those who are in authority… for the church universal as it works on your behalf… for this local church in its ministry… for persons with particular needs… Blessed are you and blessed is your Kin-Dom, forevermore. Amen.