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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Holy Week Yr C
Introduction
Introduction
Holy Week is the week of the year from Palm Sunday through the Sunday of the Resurrection (Year C). I urge you to “walk” your way through Holy Week. To facilitate your electronic "walk", this Faith@Home newsletter is partitioned by the days of Holy Week. Use the links below to skip around and return often to continue your journey.
Comments welcome.
Introduction
Introduction
I hope all of you have the opportunity to hear in person the gospel in its entirety (it is only abbreviated below). It is a powerful story that you know very well but each time through another jewel emerges.
For this week, read "For youth" below. I'm interested in your comments.
Luke 22:14-23:56
Luke 22:14-23:56
When the hour for the Passover meal came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” . . . A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he [Jesus] said to them, “. . . the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? . . . He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” . . . While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” . . . Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. . . . When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” . . . Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; . . . he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” . . . Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!”. . . As they led him [Jesus] away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. . . . When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” . . . It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, . . . Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. . . .
From sermon4kids.com: “The Good News today is that Jesus is King. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Today we are here to praise him and we shout, “Hosanna!” Do you know what that word means? It means “Save now!” That is why we shout hosanna, because Jesus saves.” Jesus alone.”
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Scripture: April 13, 2025—LITURGY OF THE PALMS—Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29 (image); Luke 19:28-40 (image); LITURGY OF THE PASSION—Isaiah 50:4–9a (image); Psalm 31:9-16 (image); Philippians 2:5–11 (image); and Luke 22:14-23:56 (supper, denial, kiss, Caiphus, Barabbas, crucifixion, Joseph).
Collect: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: The events of Holy Week make up the central story of our faith. Can we see the suffering of others in our world in the passion of Jesus? What are some ways that the daughters and sons of humanity are crucified today? How are we called to respond?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Music founded
in the scripture
“Hosanna in the Streets” by Pepper Choplin
“It is finished” from Seven Last Words by Michael John Trotta
“Ride on, King Jesus” spiritual arranged by Moses Hogan
Other voices
about the scripture
“Passiontide”, poem by Michael Coffee
“The trail of tears that leads to Easter” by Nancy Rockwell
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928, passed), comparison of passions of Christ & Joan of Arc, Review
“Sling Blade“, (1996, R), “no such thing as good or redemptive violence”, Review
For families: Study guide & activities (former guide), group activity, snacks; kid video
For children: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; crafts.
For middlers: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; craft
Coloring page: Luke; Triumphal entry, Luke branches
For youth: Consider if you were one of the zealots lining Jesus' path into Jerusalem. You're so excited that this Jesus is "for you!" He has filled you with hope and joy and caring and loving. And unfortunately, he is riding to his death on a cross. Surely it breaks your heart to know this. How does it affect you to know that he chose to do this? That his love for you is so profound that he wanted to do this? Comments welcome.
The Paschal Mystery
The Paschal Mystery
In Lent we will frequently hear a word unfamiliar to English-speaking Christians, but one which, if we learn to use and understand it, will open our hearts and minds to the celebration of our redemption. The word is pascha. It is the ancient biblical word for Passover and is used in the Holy Scriptures both for the exodus/Passover event which saved Israel in the time of Moses, and for the death and resurrection of Jesus, which we celebrate at Easter and on every Lord’s Day. Indeed in many languages the name of Easter is some variation of pascha—see particularly French, Italian, and Spanish.
Liturgists and theologians speak of the “Paschal Mystery,” a phrase heard often in the liturgy during Lent and Eastertide. Its meaning is brought home by William Pregnall, former Dean of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He describes the Paschal Mystery as the saving event by which God in all times and in all places saves the human race. It has been specially manifested at four points in history:
In the Passover/Exodus, which freed Israel from slavery in Egypt, and journeying to the promised land;
In the death and resurrection of Jesus, which saves us from slavery to sin and death and leads us into the promised land of God’s kingdom;
In Holy Baptism, when we each become participants in the dying and rising of Jesus, and partakers of its benefits;
In our participation in the Eucharist, where all of these past events become present to us again and we are active participants in them.
Lent is not a gloomy time, a sad time, or a depressing time for those who are remembering what God has done for them. Our self-examination, which reveals our sin, prepares us to recognize our need for God. Then we gather Sunday by Sunday in the liturgy where our story as the people of God reminds us that God has met and still meets our need. Our fasting and self-denial give us the resources with which we can join Christ in his struggle against evil and death. Joining him in that struggle, we also join him in his victory.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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