Daily Prayer, Friday, April 15, 2011

Morning

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and ever. Amen. (UMH 281)

Invitatory Psalm 118

Psalms 76, 80

Daily Lectionary Reading, Matthew 27:38-69

Lectio Divina

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, ad the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him (Matthew 27:55-58).

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God" (Psalm 31:14).

Prayer for Today:

O Lord our God, teach us temperance and self-control, that we may live in the Spirit and be mindful of all that Jesus endured and sacrificed for our sakes, and how he was made perfect through sufferings. Help us so to keep the fast that you have chosen, that we may loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free; through the grace of Christ Jesus our crucified and risen Savior. Amen. (UMBOW 337).

Midday Psalm 119:121-128

Evening
Psalm 106

Judas, Pilate, Soldiers, a Reflection on Matthew 27:1-37

The Jewish authorities handed Jesus over to the Roman governor, Pilate. Judas, who had betrayed him, realized what was going to happen, was overcome by remorse. He took the money the priests had given him and threw it into the temple, then hangs himself.

The chief priests discuss what to do with this money that seems tainted to them and decide to use it to buy a field to serve as a burial place for foreigners.

Thomas Long, in his excellent commentary, Matthew, points out the contrast between Judas and the religious authorities:

The deepest tragedy about Judas is not that he is guiltier than others. His guilt is shared by all. The saddest truth about Judas is that he took his remorse to the place of death ad not to the place of life. Like all humanity, he had innocent blood on his hands. "What does innocent blood have to do with us? asked the religious authorities, and their answer to their own question is, "Nothing." Judas's answer was, "I have betrayed innocent blood and the stain can never by removed." But what Judas failed to hear was the answer that Jesus himself gave on the very night of his betrayal. "What does innocent blood have to do with us? This innocent blood, he said, is "my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

Pilate, as the Roman governor, has the authority to impose the death sentence. He wants Jesus to confess that he deserves to be executed, "Do you claim to be King of the Jews?" Jesus doesn't respond in a way that makes Pilate's verdict easy.

Pilate infers their motive in handing Jesus over to him and tries to extricate himself from the problem by getting the crowds to agree to release Jesus. After all, the crowds had been so enthusiastic about him only a few days earlier. This crowd, however, is ready to see him killed. When Pilate asks them, "Why, what evil has he done?" they shout louder than they had before, "Let him be crucified!"

So Pilate gives in and hands him over to the soldiers. They mock Jesus by dressing him up like a king, putting a robe on him and a crown of thorns, and putting a reed in his hand. They then spit on him and strip him of the costume, put his own clothes back on him, and lead him away to a place called Golgotha.

When they had crucified him, they divide his clothes among themselves. Over his head they put the charge against him, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

Daily Prayer, Thursday, April 14, 2011

Morning

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and ever. Amen. (UMH 281)

Invitatory Psalm 150

Psalm 73

Daily Lectionary Reading, Matthew 27:1-37

Lectio Divina

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; se to it yourselves" (Matthew 27:24).

For I hear the whispering of many--terror all around!--as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." (Psalm 31:14)

Prayer for Today:

O merciful God, in compassion for your sinful children you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. Grant us grace to feel and to lament our share of the evil that made it necessary for him to suffer and to die for our salvation. Help us by self-denial, prayer, and meditation to prepare our hearts for deeper penitence and a better life. And give us a true longing to be free from sin, through the deliverance won by Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. (UMBOW 336)

Midday Psalm 119:113-120

Evening
Psalm 105

False Testimony, a Reflection on Matthew 26:47-75

One of his supporters used his sword in an attempt to prevent Jesus' arrest. Jesus told him to put his sword away. Thomas Long, in his commentary on Matthew, outlines the three reasons Jesus gives: 1) Violence is stupid because it just escalates into greater destruction; 2) God has other ways of getting the work done; and 3) what is going to happen must happen so that the scriptures be fulfilled.

Jesus then chastises the crowds, "Why do you think you need weapons to arrest me?"

All the disciples deserted him and fled. Long reminds us that Jesus had forecast this: See 19:27; 26:31.

Under arrest, he is taken to the Jewish high priest. Peter follows at a distance. The council tries to find proof that Jesus is deserving of the death penalty. They are even willing to accept false testimony, but weren't able to. They need to protect themselves, their status, and his words and acts have disrupted their security.

The high priest demands that Jesus testifies under oath that he claims to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus responds, "You say so. And you are going to see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

That is enough admission for the high priest. He doesn't need any more witnesses. The council agrees that Jesus' words are blasphemy and deserving of the death penalty.

Their security has been threatened, and they react by trying to reestablish it. Peter's security is also threatened. When one of the servant-girls recognizes him as a companion to Jesus, Peter denies it--three times, just as Jesus' had foretold.

Peter was not the last follower of Jesus to deny any knowledge of him when circumstances became uncomfortable.

Morning Prayer, Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Morning

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and ever. Amen. (UMH 281)

Invitatory Psalm 100

Psalms 71, 72

Daily Lectionary Reading, Matthew 26:47-75

Lectio Divina

Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).

I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel (Psalm 31:11-12).

Prayer for Today:

Merciful God,
your strength and courage pour forth
to sustain the witness of your faithful people.
Awaken in us the humility to serve
wherever creation is broken and in need,
that we may follow in the way of our brother, Jesus,
die as he did to all that separates us from you,
and with him be raised to new life. Amen.
(from RCL Prayers, Fortress Press.)

Midday Psalm 119:105-112

Evening
Psalm 104

Failure of Discipleship, a Reflection on Matthew 26:14-46

Disciples are the ones closest to the leader, the ones who are with him, hear what he has to say, watch what he does, and see the effects up close. They are the ones he speaks to and the ones who can ask him questions. They can learn how to emulate their leader--

Or not.

One of the people closest to Jesus was Judas. He offered to betray Jesus to the authorities in exchange for money.

Unfortunately, it is not that difficult for us modern-day disciples to visualize giving up some Jesus-wish in exchange for our own financial security. We may not actually try to get rid of up in some dramatic way, but we might just ignore him and his wishes if they interfere with our own comforts.

Even closer to Jesus than Judas was Peter. After denying strongly that he would never ever desert Jesus, he went to sleep when he was supposed to be awake.

Being a disciple is a full-time job, but many of us want to work only part time.

Morning Prayer, Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Morning

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and ever. Amen. (UMH 281)

Invitatory Psalm 84

Psalms 65, 66, 70

Daily Lectionary Reading, Matthew 26:14-46

Lectio Divina

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26:45).

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away (Psalm 31:9-10).

Prayer for Today:

Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,
day by day you sustain the weary with your word
and gently encourage us to place our trust in you.
Awaken us to the suffering of those around us;
save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt;
give us grace to share one another's burdens in humble service. Amen.
(from RCL Prayers, Fortress Press).

Midday Psalm 119:97-104

Evening
Psalms 102, 103

Joyous Welcome, a Reflection on Matthew 21:1-11

What could possibly go wrong now? They're following the directions the prophets had laid out. Matthew describes the entrance in language evoking Zechariah,

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, you king cones to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (9:9)

A very large crowd welcomes them enthusiastically. Were they thinking of the next verses in Zechariah?

He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth (9:10).

He's being welcomed in Jerusalem, the capital city founded by King David. Of course, now it has been centuries since Jerusalem was ruled by Jews. Now, Rome is in charge. And Rome does not want anyone wanting a new king. Rome favored peace, but a peace in which Rome was totally in charge.

Let's not be Rome for a while. Let us instead welcome the new king into our dominion, a king who will command peace to the nations.

Palm or Passion or Both?

We are reading toward the Sunday that carries the rather contradictory descriptors of Palm/Passion. In my childhood, we didn't have many (any?) services during the week. We met for worship only on Sundays. As I remember it, we celebrated Palm Sunday on the week before Easter. So, we went from the celebration of the welcome of Jesus into Jerusalem to the next Sunday of celebrating his resurrection.

We skipped the Passion part. Now, many churches have worship services every Wednesday, and this week add Thursday and Friday. Does anyone other than Catholics have the Vigil on Saturday?

I am choosing to use all the scriptures for palm and passion in my daily lectionary. Revise the schedule as fits into your own congregational emphasis and your needs this year.

Daily Prayer, Monday, April 11, 2011

Morning

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and ever. Amen. (UMH 281)

Invitatory Psalm 95

Psalms 57, 61, 64

Daily Lectionary Reading, Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Lectio Divina

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:10

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (Psalm 118:24-26).

Prayer for Today:
Gentle Jesus, parade yourself again on this Palm Sunday. And do not pass by but stay and invade the inward citadels of our souls with your ways. Correct us where we go astray. Assist us with the almost impossible human task of loving the unlovable which includes our enemies. Bring peace to our souls, O Prince of Peace! Make us a part of a great Christian force which brings healing of the human spirit and joy and laughter to our broken world. For those who suffer and mourn, we ask your care. For our divided world we ask for a vision among its leaders to work for peace and reconciliation. (selected from prayer for Palm Sunday in Prayers for the People, Richard Einerson.)

Midday Psalm 119:89-96

Evening
Psalms 87, 88, 91