Weekly Theme

W/C 21st March 2016

“Persecution”

Luke 19:28-40 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” This week is so special a week in the church’s year that we call it “Holy”. This week we remember the journey Jesus took to his death on the cross on Good Friday. The cross means different things to different people these days. For some, it is a piece of jewellery. For others it is a sign and symbol of their commitment to Jesus. For many Christians around the world, the cross is an experience—it takes the form of daily and life-threatening persecution. For every Christian, the beauty and brutality of the cross is the inescapable reality that confronts us during Holy Week, challenging us to consider what it means for us to follow Jesus in taking up our own cross—whatever form that may take.

Lord Jesus, in this sacred and solemn week when we see again the depth and mystery of your redeeming love, help us to follow where you go, to stop where you stumble, to listen when you cry, to hurt as you suffer, to bow our heads in sorrow as you die, so that, when you are raised to life again, we may share in your endless joy. Amen. Form Tutor The aim of this week’s theme: Christians call the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Holy Week. The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all tell us about what happened to Jesus and his disciples during that week. Jesus was preparing himself to face his crucifixion. For him it was a sort of journey from the joy and excitement of Palm Sunday when everyone was cheering him to the horror and pain of Good Friday, when the same people wanted to crucify him to the wonder of Easter Day and his resurrection. As Christians we look on the week as a time of preparation, when we can learn more about Jesus and how what he did affects their own lives.

Monday of Holy Week Scripture John 12: 1-11 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, who Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. Reflection In our relationships with others, simple signs of affection—a touch of the hand or a kind word—can be very important and can mean a lot. The same is true for our little faults and failings. We know they can lead to bigger failings and can ultimately destroy something precious in our life. The Gospel says that Judas was a thief who stole from the purse of Jesus’ small community. We know how Judas’ little betrayals led to the final betrayal of Jesus Himself. Often we do not see our little failings as being very important, but if they are unchecked, we know they can lead to bigger failings, to bigger betrayals. Today’s Gospel reminds us to pay attention to our big failings and

also to our little failings because little things, positive and negative, can mean a lot to the health of our relationships with others and with Jesus. Loving Father, help me to be aware of the things I do and what I say to others today. Amen Forty Day Challenge Find ways to encourage those around you today Tuesday of Holy Week John 13:21-33, 31-33 After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.” The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?” Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him. “What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.” No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor. Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night. When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!

“Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’ Simon Peter asked, “Master, just where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You can’t now follow me where I’m going. You will follow later.” “Master,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!” “Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.” Reflection Hurt. Disappointed. Wounded. At one time or another, we have all experienced those feelings, and they have left their mark. In the Gospel today we are confronted with the betrayal of Jesus. In the intimacy of a meal, He reveals the identity of his betrayer and humbles Peter by predicting publicly that he will deny Him. Jesus, even as the Christ, must have fully known the hurt of being let down by his friends. Yet Jesus seems perfectly at peace with all of them, accepting them despite their brokenness. Jesus is showing us how to be merciful and forgiving. Jesus’ response is once again countercultural. Instead of hatred, anger, violence, and revenge, He shows mercy, peace, and most of all, forgiveness. This Holy Week, may that same mercy in our hearts. May we be able to give the mercy we have received from Jesus to our brothers and sisters. Loving Father, forgive me the times that I have not stood up for you among my friends. When I have failed to be faithful to Christ Amen Forty Day Challenge Ask someone how they are and take time to listen to the answer.

Wednesday of Holy Week Matthew 26: 14 That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the high priests and said, “What will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They settled on thirty silver pieces. He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over. Reflection A recent magazine cover story featured soldiers returning from war. Troubled by nightmares, anger, and addiction, many find relief and renewed purpose by helping others. The article asked, “Can serving others save us?” Tomorrow Jesus begins His act of salvation with an act of service: washing the feet of His disciples. Today, however, the tragic figure of Judas takes centre stage. Judas’ downfall begins with the opposite of service: self-interest. He asks the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” Judas was chosen by the Jesus and was trusted with the community’s money. He didn’t start out with a greedy heart. But somewhere Judas turned to excessive self-love. Dear Lord, help me to put others before myself Amen Forty Day Challenge Say thank you to someone for who they are or what they do Thursday of Holy Week John 13:1-17 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal. Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!” Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.” “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!” Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. Reflection Toward the end of the musical Les Misérables, the young Marius sings: “There’s a grief that can’t be spoken; there’s a pain goes on and on; empty chairs at empty tables; now my friends are dead and gone. Here they talked of revolution; here it was they lit the flame; here they sang about tomorrow; and tomorrow never came.” At the end of our Holy Thursday celebration there will also be an empty table, a table where we were just fed and nourished. A table where the friends of Jesus heard talk of a revolution, not of overthrowing an establishment but of a revolutionary way of living. Living the way of love and service. The flame of the love of our God has been lit, but tomorrow will seem like a dark day. These next days of betrayal and death will bring a time of grief and pain, but we leave the table of Jesus as a people of hope. Forty Day Challenge Make a list of all the good things in your life and thank God for them

Jesus, Help me to follow your example of serving others. May I never be too proud to think of myself as above doing the work of a servant. Amen