The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday

8/9/06

13:04

Page 209

Lent

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Lnt Wednesday, March 1

Friday, March 3

Ash Wednesday is so called because on this day worshipers receive ashes in the shape of the cross on their foreheads as a sign of mourning, mortality and repentance. The ashes are traditionally prepared from the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. Their use suggests divine judgment on sin, and our humiliation, repentance and total dependence on God. As the ashes are being imposed we hear the words spoken to Adam following the first transgression, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” and recall the solemn “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” of the committal service. Once used for cleaning, however, ashes can also suggest cleansing and renewal.

As an Old Testament professor, I worry a lot about how Scripture is used, and particularly whether we deploy it for good or for harm. In this particular story, it strikes me that Jesus is using Scripture as a shield, and the devil is using Scripture as a weapon. In the face of overwhelming temptation, Jesus turns to the book of Deuteronomy to deflect the devil’s taunts. Rather than seeking to harm his enemy, Jesus turns to Scripture to summon his own strength, reminding himself why his victory is inevitable. As you embark on this year’s Lenten journey, how might you use Scripture to shield yourself from sin rather than using it as a means to judge or hurt others? What word will you offer in the face of temptation? Jesus’ final response to Satan is a helpful place to start. When confronted by anything that tries to command our loyalty over that of God, we can turn, like Jesus, to these words of the law: “You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Gracious God, help us to remember that though one day our lives will end, we will die in the embrace of your promise. Amen.

Thursday, March 2 Matthew 4:1-11

How do we use the words of scripture? When we call on the power vested in the words of the Bible, is it to build up or to tear down? Do we seek to bring life or death? Are we doing God’s work, or our own? Shakespeare wrote that “the devil can cite scripture for his own purposes,” and in today’s reading we see the devil using the words of Psalm 91 to try to convince Jesus to defy God. In so doing Satan turns scripture into an idol. He thinks he can trick Jesus into mistaking a few words of scripture for the will of God. The forty days of Lent parallel Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. During this season of self-examination, we are challenged to face our temptations and confess, like Jesus, that we have nothing but God alone on whom to rely. We must fearlessly tear down our idols—even if those idols are built from the very words of scripture. Sovereign God, smash our idols, and fill our mouths with the truth of your holy Word. Amen.

Matthew 4:1-11

God of promise, you have given us a great gift in your word. Help us to understand your word and to use it in ways that give honor and glory to your Name. Amen.

Saturday, March 4

“Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 1 It is indeed beyond all thought and fantasy, as our hymn suggests, that God through Jesus would not only enter into our world as it is, but also as we are. That God would slip into a mortal form, a human body, vulnerable to the dangers of the world and the violence of humanity. And God did so out of a radical love for both the world and humanity—a love that would surpass the depth, breadth and height of sin, suffering and death. We know this to be true, of course, through the story of Jesus and where this season of Lent is ultimately leading us. But we also know the reality of sin, suffering and death, for we have experienced them in our own bodies. We have felt their shame and ache. And when we are encompassed by them and lost in their darkness, our knowledge cannot save us. Thank God we don’t have to save ourselves. Thank God that our salvation has come through this Jesus. Loving God, strengthen us in our faith that your love is deeper and broader and higher—that we are never beyond your reach. Amen.

2 Lent

Lnt Sunday, March 5

Tuesday, March 7

Thomas á Kempis, the 15th century monk best known for his devotional work The Imitation of Christ, wrote this hymn to tell the story of Jesus in verse. He begins with the Incarnation, wondering at the incomprehensible love that led the Son of God to become flesh, taking on “our mortal form for mortals’ sake.” Here is no sentimental Christmas carol celebrating the infant Jesus attended by adoring shepherds and assorted domestic livestock. This hymn instead moves quickly from the birth of Jesus to his life, death and resurrection. The shadow of the cross looms over the manger, but not in an ominous way. Instead, the hymn celebrates in wonder and astonishment the love that would lead God not only to become one of us and to live among us, but also to die on a cross and to be raised again—all “for us.” Such love is a profound thing to ponder as we begin our Lenten journey.

“On the seventh day, God rested.” For millennia, the resting of God has been a cherished, distinctive part of the Jewish and Christian traditions. However, even though God rests, this psalm repeatedly promises that God is never sleeping. God is not passive, nor absent, nor unaware of what is happening to us. Day and night, when we come and when we leave, from our birth until our death, God is active in our lives, bringing us help and protection. It’s not always easy to proclaim this in a world twisted with injustice and battered by tragedy, but our faith teaches us to be watchful for how God is at work around us. In Christ, we can trust that God is always with us, even in our deepest sorrows.

“Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 1

Lord Jesus Christ, Love incarnate, walk with us during these weeks in the way of the cross, that it may be for us a way of life and peace. Amen.

Monday, March 6 Genesis 12:1-4a

Faith is exceedingly inconvenient. It never lets us stay put. When we heed the call of the Holy Spirit, we are pulled out of our old ways and into something new—new places, new relationships, new visions, new work, and new life. Abraham’s new story begins with a single word from God: Go! Go from your home and your family and everything you have ever known, trusting that I have something greater in store for you! It’s a terrifying, absurd proposal. But he listens anyway. All of history hinges on this decision—he gets up and goes when God tells him to go. His faith permits him to let go of the present and live into the promise, and so he becomes a blessing to the whole world. When we follow our faith into new places, we too can be a blessing to others. We just have to be willing to listen when God speaks and calls us. Lord, give us the courage to listen to your call and follow where you lead. Amen.

3 Lent

Psalm 121

Protector God, teach us to look to you for help, and show us signs of your saving presence in our lives. Amen.

Wednesday, March 8 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

All our lives are shaped by how much we earn through our work. Where we live, who we know, how we shape and clothe our bodies—practically nothing is untouched by our wages. We work hard to win our due, so most of us are naturally protective of what’s ours. The world judges us by how much we can gather for ourselves. But there are no wages in the kingdom of heaven. In faith, God sets us free of needing to earn our way; all are freely showered with unimaginable gifts of mercy. When we see our lives from God’s perspective, we no longer have to worry about comparing ourselves to others. No one has to work to be worthy. God’s grace overturns all our economies. God of Abraham, set us free from all our anxieties and comparisons. Help us to see that, through Christ, all people are worthy of your abundant love. Amen.

Lnt Thursday, March 9

Saturday, March 11

John 3:16 is one of the most familiar, most beloved verses in all of scripture. Here is the gospel, clearly stated: because of God’s great love, Jesus came to earth to lead us into abundant, everlasting life. But the verse is strange and startling in context. Immediately before the cherished words, Jesus compares himself to the bronze snake that Moses made and lifted up in the wilderness. This recalls an ugly incident told in Numbers 21: God sends a swarm of venomous snakes as a punishment, and many people die before Moses offers salvation in the form of this bronze serpent. It seems bizarre that Jesus would evoke this grim object next to such a beautiful proclamation of God’s love. However, the gospel appears in surprising, even off-putting places, showing us a God who transforms punishment and death into forgiveness and life.

Every year, my family’s Christmas tree is covered with angel ornaments. They smile and glitter on the branches, promising the glorious joy of God’s reign. In many homes and churches, angels are beloved signs of God’s presence, promises and protection. Our instinct is often to seek God in otherworldly images, to gaze to heaven when we pray. But when God came to us in Jesus, it was not in the form of a heavenly spirit. We believe that in Jesus the Christ God lived, died and conquered death as a human being. And in Christ made flesh we are taught to find God in the world that surrounds us—in water, in bread and wine, in a neighbor in need. We live in the hope of the kingdom of heaven, but for as long as we are on this earth; God meets us here and now.

John 3:1-17

Surprising God, keep our eyes open to recognize you where we least expect you. Amen.

Friday, March 10 Matthew 17:1-9

Who taught you your faith? When you pray, whose words live in your heart? Which saints and prophets, which family members and teachers have helped you know God? When Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop, he doesn’t appear alone. His divinity blazes forth in the presence of Moses and Elijah. The disciples more fully see and understand him because of the living witness of ancient prophets. Like the disciples, we encounter Christ amidst a cloud of witnesses. All the saints, living and dead, reveal Jesus to us. All the faithful whom we have loved and learned from show us the body of Christ. We cannot know God without knowing each other. God’s story is our story. God of the ages, teach us to encounter you in one another, in both expected and surprising places, until the living body of Christ testifies to the fullness of your reign. Amen.

4 Lent


Living God, comfort us with the hope of heaven, but help us to seek you and serve you in the things of this earth. Amen.

Sunday, March 12

“Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 2 At first glance, this hymn’s claim that God “wore the robe of human frame” looks theologically suspect. After all, God didn’t briefly wear a human body like we wear our clothes; God became fully, completely human in Jesus. However, I see the significance of the metaphor in the garment, not in the wearing. In Christ, our frail, fallible mortality is elevated to the splendor of a noble robe. God could have come to us in any majestic form, but chose to take on our sin and sickness, our messy bodies and messy emotions, even our death. In doing so, Jesus transformed and redeemed our humanity into the very place where we meet God. The lowly incarnation is God’s highest glory. Incarnate God, thank you for coming to us in Jesus Christ. Thank you for meeting us where we are. Amen.

Lnt Monday, March 13

Wednesday, March 15

Why have a story about the people’s griping in a Lenten devotional? Perhaps because, as my colleague Terry Fretheim used to say, “Forty years is a long time to be in the sandbox!” Maybe because their position between deliverance from slavery at the Red Sea and entrance into the Promised Land approximates that of the Church between our deliverance at the cross and resurrection of Jesus and our awaiting the promised land of our heavenly home. In both cases God’s perceived absence is a common occurrence. Yet, our text shows us that God was with the people in their plight, actively providing them with the water they so desperately needed. Might we say that God uses those times of supposed absence to show us how truly present God actually is?

In Romans Paul was writing to a group of Christians who were trying to maintain their faith despite the disapproval of their neighbors. Meer membership in this Christian community was enough to put security, property and even life itself at risk. In these trying circumstances Paul reminded them of Jesus, “through whom we obtained access to this grace in which we stand” (v. 2). He boldly suggested that God could turn their very suffering into blessing—by grace, of course— since “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (v. 3-4). That is to say, God can make us stronger through the painful experiences of our lives. Paul doesn’t promise that Christians are exempt from suffering; he promises that God can use our suffering in meaningful ways.

Ever present God, help us trust that you are always with us, no matter what. Amen.

God of transformation, thank you for loving me despite my unworthiness, help me to love others as you do. Amen.

Exodus 17:1-7

Tuesday, March 14 Psalm 95

This fine example of a hymn of praise invites us to worship God in various ways (v. 1-2, 6) and offers a double reason to do so: “For the Lord is a great God . . .” (v. 3-5), and, more importantly, because God is “our God” (v. 7). Like all the hymns of praise, however, this psalm serves best as a vehicle for mission! Inviting others to join you in praise of God by sharing what God has done for you sounds like witnessing—and of course it is! In their liturgy of worship Lutherans used to sing “Thank the Lord (how do we do that?) sing his praise (and how might we do that?) tell everyone what he has done” (Lutheran Book of Worship, p. 72)! God of grace and God of glory, we praise you not only for what you have done for us, but for who you are. Encourage us to tell others about your gracious love. Amen.

5 Lent

Romans 5:1-11

Thursday, March 16 John 4:5-42

Towards the middle of his encounter with the Samaritan woman Jesus announces, “the hour is coming” (v. 21), which is the traditional way of depicting the coming new age. But in verse 23 Jesus adds the words “and is now here,” words that transform his statement into the announcement that the new age is already present in his person. In verse 26 he declares that he is in fact the Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ. That this first “I am” in John is revealed to a Samaritan woman of questionable morals becomes a vivid demonstration of sheer grace. Lent, for all its emphasis on remorse for sin, can also be a time that celebrates the power of the gospel as it shatters our limited view of existence and leads us to live life more fully. Great “I am,” help us to see you as you truly are. Amen.

Lnt Friday, March 17

Sunday, March 19

On Tuesday, in Psalm 95, we saw the importance of sharing our faith. Now we see how the Samaritan woman’s testimony concerning her experience with Jesus resulted in the conversion of many Samaritans (v. 39). More importantly, their own personal experience of Jesus was decisive in their coming to faith (v. 40-42). John’s point is that the Samaritans’ faithful response is proof that the new age is in fact appearing in Jesus, “the Savior of the world,”—a title that brings to a close the progression of escalating claims of who Jesus is: “Jewish male” (v. 9), “prophet” (v. 19),“Messiah,” and “I am he” (v. 26). For many people, Lent is a time of growing realization of who Jesus is for us and for others as they practice their Lenten discipline of Bible reading and prayer.

When I was in college, a familiar question in churchly circles was, “Have you found Jesus?” As a budding theologian, I was somewhat put off by this particular evangelistic approach and often answered, “Why, yes! He was behind the sofa all the time.” It wasn’t until years later that I discovered the reason for my annoyance. When we envision faith as our quest for Jesus, we find ourselves trying to go “up the down escalator,” as Gerhard Forde, one of my professors, put it. The great good news of the gospel is not that I need to commit to a lifelong search for Jesus, but that Jesus has always been actively searching for me.

Savior of the world, as we come to a fuller recognition of you and your love, may we be moved to share that love with others. Amen.

Monday, March 20

John 4:5-42


Seek us, O Lord, seek us and find us, embrace us with your love, draw us close that we may be yours forever. Amen.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

In the wilderness, Jesus experiences three temptations, each more beguiling than the last, the tempter’s attempt to lure him away from his mission with promises of comfort, security and power. On all three occasions Jesus effectively fends off the temptation with a quote from Deuteronomy. His command of the scriptural witness is no less impressive than the creative way in which he applies his knowledge with authority. Instead of allowing the temptations of comfort, security and power to govern his life, he chooses the dangerous path of the cross along with the vulnerability, risk and suffering that such a choice entails. Essentially, he chooses to place his trust in God, and all of this is “for us,” as the hymn so poignantly puts it.

Our reading starts at the beginning of a new chapter in Samuel, but we actually enter into the midst of an unresolved and messy story. God regrets making Saul king and rejects him for his disobedience, and Samuel is overcome with grief for Saul. But God doesn’t leave Samuel in his grief—or the Israelites in theirs. Rather, God shares in their grief, for God’s regret is God’s grief. More so, in the midst of this shared grief, God is at work for God’s good purposes in the world. God is at work for the sake of God’s people. “Set out. I will send you…for I have provided for myself a king.” God’s call comes to draw Samuel out of his grief and beckon him onward. This call will stir up hope for Israel with David’s anointing. We, too, are not left alone in our grief. God shares in it and, through Jesus, has fully entered into it for our sake. God comes into our lives to do what God has done again and again: deliver God’s people.

Sustaining God, surround us with your strength these forty days, as we confront whatever would keep us from you. Amen.

God of providence, thank you for accompanying us in our grief and delivering us from it through Jesus Christ our savior. Amen.

Saturday, March 18 “Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 3

6 Lent

Lnt Tuesday, March 21

Thursday, March 23

In June 2011, my hometown of Minot, N.D., and the surrounding communities suffered from an historic flood. The swollen Souris River climbed out of its banks swallowing up homes, schools, businesses, churches and parks. Suffice it to say “the valley of the shadow of death” seemed to have made itself at home, when so many were without theirs, in the Souris River Valley. But where there is death, God’s promise of resurrection is sure to follow. I saw the signs of this promise in the wildflowers that sprung up all around the barren valley— this silent choir reaching for the heavens with its cheerful yellow petals and singing through its very existence that life would bloom again. I saw this promise embodied in the sweaty and determined volunteers who worked to rebuild what had been destroyed. Psalm 23 speaks beautifully to this promise. It does so by being honest about the reality of death and darkness. But then it continues to proclaim that even in “the valley of the shadow of death” God is still with us.

In this story of healing in John 9, I’m often so focused on the matter of the blind man receiving sight that I overlook the implications of Jesus’ vision. Right from the beginning of the narrative Jesus sees the blind man. Furthermore, Jesus sees beyond the man’s blindness. That is, the man isn’t reduced to his condition of blindness; neither is he reduced by sin. Instead, Jesus sees that God’s works will be revealed in him—Jesus sees the potential of a new disciple. So Jesus gets his hands dirty in healing the man. Then he sends him with the command, “Go, wash,” and the man follows the order and comes back able to see. From there his literal sight gives way to the growth of his vision, his recognition, his understanding. His new vision is such—as articulated in verse 27—that he sees in himself what Jesus also saw—a disciple. Jesus’ vision moves the blind man from darkness to light, from unbelief to belief, from beggar to disciple.

Psalm 23

Shepherding God, help us to trust that when we are lost in the darkest of valleys we are not lost from you. Amen.

Wednesday, March 22 Ephesians 5:8-14

Yesterday, guided by Psalm 23, I wrote of how even when we are lost in the darkest of valleys, God is with us. Today I’m drawn to speak of light—because God not only remains with us in darkness, but also brings us into light. Indeed, we are light and so we are called to live as such for the sake of others. We know the reality of darkness, and the despair and destruction it inflicts. But in the Lord we also know the power of light, and the hope and healing it offers. So we are called not to live in fear, nor in the safety of comfort zones, nor in a state of false peace. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” Therefore, we work for God’s justice—that which is good and right and true—by daring to wade into those dark places in the world and reflect God’s light. Lord of light, in a world full of darkness grant us courage to live as children of light so that we pursue your justice and share your peace with all. Amen.

7 Lent

John 9:1-41

Revealing God, help us to see as Jesus sees so that people will no longer be overlooked or disregarded. Amen.

Friday, March 24 John 9:1-41

Through Jesus, God closed the distance between God’s self and the world by taking on flesh and entering into it. In his ministry, Jesus left no room for distance either, as exemplified in this story in John 9. He makes mud and spreads it on the blind man’s eyes and we gain a picture of the intimacy, the nearness of such an act. But it’s not enough for Jesus to heal the man—as miraculous as that is—and Jesus won’t stop there. After the man, now able to see, is driven out of the synagogue, Jesus searches and finds him once again. He closes the distance and brings him into a new relationship, which is punctuated by the man’s profound confession, “Lord, I believe.” Our scripture readings this week show us again and again that our God is a relational God. We have a God who accompanies us, sees and seeks us, heals us. Because of our relationship with God—this relationship we call salvation—we are empowered and called to do the same for the sake of our neighbors. May it be so! Relational God, help us to live out of our salvation and draw near to others as Jesus did so as to share your abiding and transformative love. Amen.

Lnt Saturday, March 25

Monday, March 27


Ezekiel 37:1-14

Holy God, we give thanks that for us Jesus gave his whole life so that we might have wholeness in you. Amen.

Faithful God, in the midst of so many signs of death and brokenness in our world, help us to see the surprising gift of life and hope that you offer through your creative power among us. Amen.

For us, Jesus gave his whole life. This means that Jesus died for us, yes, but also, that Jesus lived for us. Jesus prayed and taught and worked for us until his last breath. But what I especially appreciate about Thomas á Kempis’ hymn, “Oh, Love, How Deep,” is the way in which it not only shares what Jesus did, but for whom— for us. This is a radical message—especially in a world that tells us in so many ways we are not good enough. We’re not smart enough, strong enough, attractive enough, and rich enough… In emphasizing our lack, the world so often reduces us and divides us from one another. But Jesus’ invitation was and is for us—all of us. For us he gave his whole life, seeking out the outcast and the marginalized. His acts were not exclusionary; rather, they were acts of restoration. They were acts of restoring people to themselves, to one another and to God— restoration to a wholeness the likes of which the world cannot comprehend.

Sunday, March 26 “Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 4

By words and signs and actions, Jesus gave his whole life for us. This means, of course, that Jesus gave his whole life for you. Truly, that is a deep love. Can you let yourself sink into that love? As I noted in yesterday’s reflections, the world tends to emphasize our lack and reduce us to our faults and flaws—so much so that it can be difficult to escape the sense of not being enough. But God knew full well the shortcomings of our humanity before deciding to send Jesus to us. God knew of our brokenness and sinfulness, but loved us still. In Christ, you are not defined by what you have done, or failed to do. Nor are you defined by what has been done to you. You are defined by what Jesus has done for you. Receive that love and sink into the depths of it—letting it pour over, into and out of you. You are enough because God through Jesus has made it so. O God, the world says I am not enough, but you say I am your beloved. Help me to receive your love, that I might also share it. Amen.

When I ponder the mystery that is the resurrection of the body, which we affirm whenever we recite the Apostles’ Creed, I think about this passage from Ezekiel. Bones of people long dead, bones bearing the chips and breaks of ancient warfare, bones picked clean by animals, bones scattered and separated, suddenly find their mates, fuse together, take on a new layer of flesh and are ready to receive the breath of God again. For Ezekiel, these bones represent the people of Israel, decimated by war, starving in their own land or scattered outside of it, losing hope and doubting the faithfulness of their God. God makes new life for Israel arise from a valley full of next- to-nothing. With Ezekiel, we look upon the rising, dancing bones and remember that our God brings life out of death, and that God’s own breath can animate whatever next-to-nothing we bring.

Tuesday, March 28 Psalm 130

I wonder what it was like to be a night watchman on the wall of ancient Jerusalem, eyes peeled and body tensed to meet any coming threat. I imagine it was something like the feeling I had the night my infant daughter had a very high fever; the nurse told me to give her Tylenol and then watch her until the morning, to make sure the fever went down rather than up. I was exhausted and afraid, and yet also hopeful that relief would come in the morning. Our wait—our hope—for redemption from the Lord contains a similar mix of fear, frustration and hopeful anticipation. The word for “depths” in the psalm, from which the psalmist cries out, refers particularly to deep waters; how much more difficult it is to hear sound underwater! And yet the expectation that God will hear our cries and bring change for us persists. Even with the waters swirling around us, we continue to hope—even more than a mother clutching a feverish baby, even more than a night watchman trying to make it to the morning in peace. O God of Presence, be with us in our watching and our waiting. Help us live in hope, knowing that at the end of our dark nights there will come the morning promise of your redemption and healing. Amen.

8 Lent

Lnt Wednesday, March 29 Romans 8:6-11

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” The language of resurrection from the dead can sometimes lead us to think only of life after death. Yet this verse from Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that the resurrection also brings us life before death. The Spirit gives life. The Spirit that animates us each day is the same Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead. In our prayers for healing, for the flourishing of our families, for justice in the world, we can rejoice that the death- defeating power of the Holy Spirit breathes life into each moment of our lives. God of life and hope, help us to know the presence of your Spirit, who comes to remind us of your resurrection promise, and help us to know that with the Spirit comes your promise of justice and healing for our world. Amen.

Thursday, March 30 John 11:1-45

Jesus’ words to Martha from John 11:25-26 are familiar, comforting words often read at funerals: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus’ last question to Martha in that speech, though, is often left out: “Do you believe me?” When I read this passage, the question startles me, and I pause to consider my own answer. Do I believe that everyone who lives and believes in Jesus will never die? I am catapulted to Mark 9:24, where the father of the possessed boy says, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Like most of us, I live every day somewhere along the spectrum between belief and unbelief. Some days I am completely confident in God’s resurrection power. On other days I am less sure, and I need more help with my unbelief. On those hard days I am grateful for the witness of the saints who have come before us, for my worshipping community that holds me up, and for the grace of new mercies each morning. Lord, I need your help each day. I trust your promise, but so often I lived poised between belief and unbelief. Thank you for being present in my need, and for the witness of those who surround and sustain me with the signs of your mercy and grace. Amen.

9 Lent

Friday, March 31 John 11:1-45

We are assured over and over again that even in our suffering, God is with us. And yet, most of us suspect, at one time or another that Mary and Martha are absolutely right: if God were with us, our brother—or our mother, our child, our friend— would not have died. We would not have gotten cancer. We would not have lost our home. Sometimes it seems like Jesus is always two days late leaving for Judea. In those seasons of our lives, we must dare to read to the end of this story. For the end of the Lazarus story is not, in fact, the end of Lazarus, but a new beginning for him. The same God who breathes into Ezekiel’s dry bones also orders Lazarus out of the tomb and raises Jesus from the dead on Easter morning. And that same God will, in the fullness of time, redeem creation and raise us all to new life. O God, sometimes it is hard to see your presence in the midst of the dry seasons of our lives. Help us to know that even in the dark times, you are near to bring new life and hope for each new day. Amen.

Saturday, April 1

“Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 5 The fifth verse from the hymn “Oh, Love, How Deep” focuses on the parts of Lent that are some of the most difficult ones for us to reckon with: Jesus’ pain on the cross, and our culpability in his suffering and death. Crucifixion was indeed both a painful and shameful way to die in the Roman Empire. The repetition of “for us” throughout this verse drives home the fact that we participated in causing Jesus’ pain. We know that we would have shouted, “Crucify him!” along with the crowds. We know that we, like Paul, do the evil we do not want (Romans 7:19). Yet the “for us” is also good news: In Jesus’ dying and rising, we have become “dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:11). As the cross of Good Friday looms ever closer, we must not turn away from the pain of Christ’s death, but neither should we ever forget the good news of Jesus’ resurrection—and our own—that awaits us. O God of compassion, as we journey toward Good Friday and the cross, help us to see Jesus’ pain and suffering as signs of the depth of your love, and to live in humble yet confident thanks that all that he gave was “for us.” Amen.

Lnt Sunday, April 2

Tuesday, April 4


Psalm 31:9-16

O God of Love, we know too well the many ways in which we have used our energies to work for death rather than good in our world. May the depth of your love for us in Jesus inspire and empower us anew to channel our energies in the ways of life and hope. Amen.

Lord, make your face to shine upon all those who suffer. In our despair help us to trust in your steadfast love, for you are our God. Amen

Monday, April 3

Philippians 2:5-11

I never cease to be amazed at the means human beings devise to hurt one another, both physically and emotionally. The crown of thorns is one such innovation. It mocks the claims that Jesus is “king,” and it causes him physical pain as he wears it. Crucifixion is similarly creative: a slow and torturous death, as well as a public one, reminding anyone who sees it of the power of the Roman Empire. What would it be like to channel the energy that creates instruments of death into working for good in the world? When the prophet Isaiah envisions the beating of spears into pruning hooks, he expresses a similar longing to channel the energy put into creating instruments of death into the forging of the tools that sustain life. This Lenten season, consider how your energy is used: does it go toward holding onto grudges? Toward dreaming up the most hurtful thing to say to one who has hurt you first? Or is your energy used for the deepest, broadest, highest kind of love you can muster?

Isaiah 50:4-9 This week’s Old Testament reading drops us into the humiliation of Israel’s exile. Because of their sins, God has handed Israel over to foreign empires. The Israelites are scattered away from their homeland, suffering under the oppressive force of the Babylonians, Assyrians and Persians. And yet in the midst of that pain, that suffering, that humiliation, the Lord speaks to Isaiah and gives him a word of comfort for a broken people. Isaiah proclaims a word of hope in the Lord’s promise to help, save and vindicate all those who suffer humiliation. Suffering and persecution are as present today as they were in Isaiah’s time. Where do you see suffering and persecution in your world? Still today the Lord vindicates all those who suffer persecution by offering a word of hope that someday they will be raised from their humiliation. How will you bring that word of hope to the persecuted? God of all vindication and justice, forgive us for the ways we contribute to the suffering of the world, and provide us your word of hope to sustain the persecuted. Amen.

10 Lent

Today we hear another example of the humiliations those who suffer endure. The psalmist cries out with grief as his body wastes away in fear. The images are visceral: his misery weighs heavily upon him, giving him the appearance of a decaying corpse as his loved ones desert him and his enemies’ scheme against him. He has absolutely nothing left to him but to hope and trust that the steadfast love of the Lord will deliver him from his humiliation into safety. Maybe you’ve experienced this kind of paralyzing fear and despair. It manifests itself in infinite ways and in varying degrees—it is the terror of families caught in war-torn Aleppo; the grief of parents who’ve lost a child; the despondency of those gripped by addiction; the loneliness of the bullied. It is Jesus in Gethsemane. But the psalmist reminds us that out of infinite love God delivers. Though suffering and death may have us cornered, they do not have the final word. We will not be left in our humiliation, for the Lord will deliver us.

Wednesday, April 5 This so called Christ hymn dramatically tells the story of Jesus. In the first half, Jesus forsakes his godly prerogatives and takes on the frail form of humanity. That act of humility quickly turns to humiliation as the world takes advantage of Jesus’ humanity, insulting, beating and crucifying him. In his obedience, Jesus willingly takes on the sufferings so powerfully portrayed in Isaiah 50 and Psalm 31. Precisely because of that obedience, God exalts Jesus, lifting him out of his humiliation and giving him the name above every other. In a wonderful act of love, Christ came to earth to share in our human sufferings, and we, by God’s grace, now get to share in Christ’s exaltation. But we daily live in the middle of this hymn. While it helps us to see that we have already been exalted with Christ, our lives don’t always fully reflect that fact. So like Isaiah and the psalmist, we wait in hope, hope that one day our sufferings will disappear and we will come to dwell fully with Christ in exaltation. God of humiliation, God of exaltation, we dwell with your Christ in his sufferings just as he dwells with us in ours. Sustain within us the hope that one day, our sufferings will cease and we will live with you in everlasting exaltation. Amen.

Lnt Thursday, April 6

Saturday, April 8

Matthew 21:1-11


I’ve always seen Palm Sunday as a “calm before the storm” in Lent. After many chapters of conniving Pharisees, demonic forces and ignorant disciples, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, greeted with glorious fanfare. For this short time, at least, it seems that all is well. But it is precisely that calm that confuses me. How, in the span of one short week, does the crowd’s shouting turn from “hosanna” to “crucify”? Perhaps that tension is exactly the point. Once again we are given a dissonant juxtaposition of humility and exaltation. Matthew quotes the prophet Zechariah, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble.” And indeed Jesus enters Jerusalem in humility on a donkey. But the crowds exalt Jesus, willing this prophet to become a mighty king, a valiant warrior. They cannot understand that Jesus’ exaltation can only result from his future humiliation. And so as Jesus fails to be the warrior-king the crowds expect, their exaltation dissolves into hate. Underneath the shouts of “hosanna!” lie the powerful shouts of “crucify!” that bring Jesus to his ultimate humiliation. But through that humiliation Jesus also receives the true exaltation, that is, resurrection. Lord, as we prepare to enter Holy Week, let us be like your Christ, seeking not empty exaltation, but holy humility. Amen.

Friday, April 7 Matthew 27:11-54 In today’s reading we reach the events toward which we have been building all week. In this gut-wrenching account of the crucifixion from Matthew’s gospel we see Jesus’ final humiliation. As in Isaiah and Philippians, we see Jesus walking to his death in obedience to God at the hands of his captors. As in the psalm, cornered by his enemies, we see Jesus entering into utter despair. Humiliation and exaltation converge once again as the soldiers of the governor press a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, put a reed in his hand and throw a purple robe on his back. In mocking tones they “exalt” Jesus, all the while humbling him and preparing him for the ultimate humiliation: crucifixion. In this horrible account of abuse and humiliation Jesus takes the sufferings of the whole world upon himself, submitting to the will of his captors that he might, in turn, free them. Stand with us in this hour, O Lord, as we prepare to spend the week remembering your son’s suffering and death. Purge the sin from our lives and keep our eyes ever focused on the hope of your promised exaltation. Amen.

11 Lent

This hymn serves as a word of hope from God as we prepare to enter into the darkness of Holy Week. The first two lines of verse six are reminiscent of the second half of the Christ hymn in Philippians. They are the hopeful and glorious culmination of yesterday’s challenging and despairing reading from Matthew. In the end, our God, Jesus the Christ, triumphs over death. In the midst of his humiliating death, God reaches into the grave and pulls Jesus out, exalting him to the highest place in the universe through the glory of the resurrection. So as you prepare to enter a week of reflecting on Christ’s sufferings, and as you continue to endure your own and watch your neighbors endure their own, remember of this, “for us he went on high to reign.” As we heard from Isaiah on Monday, the sufferings and humiliations of your life do not have the last word, for in the midst of that darkness you have a hope: the Lord will vindicate you and you will be exalted to the highest places with Christ. Heavenly Father, we give you praise and thanks that your story does not end in the grave, but rather puts an end to the grave. Thank you for giving us the hope that while we may endure humiliation, we can, by your grace, expect exaltation with Christ. Amen.

Sunday, April 9 “Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 6 Our reflections this past week have centered on humiliation and exaltation: we saw Isaiah and the psalmist endure humiliation by putting their hope in the Lord. We saw Jesus endure the strange juxtaposition of humiliation and exaltation as he went to his death in Jerusalem. And in Philippians, we saw how Christ took on our sufferings so that we might, through God’s grace, be exalted with Christ. The second half of verse six of our hymn tells us that our exaltation with Christ is not the end; rather, it is the beginning. Exalted with Christ through his resurrection, Jesus has sent us his Spirit “to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.” While we can enjoy the promise that we are exalted with Christ, we are exalted but for one purpose: to serve our neighbors. In exaltation Christ has sent us the Holy Spirit so that we might do the unexpected: enter back into humiliation to bring God’s word of hope to those who suffer. Lord, as we enter into the darkness of Holy Week, remind us that we are exalted with Christ, and in that exaltation we are free to enter fearlessly into the suffering of the world to bring your word of hope. Amen.

Lnt Monday, April 10

Wednesday, April 12

Isaiah 42:1-9

Hebrews 12:1-3

We enter into Holy Week reading one of the “servant songs” from Isaiah. The servant described in Isaiah 42 is a paradoxical figure. On the one hand, he will “bring forth justice to the nations,” a task that would seem to require immense power. On the other hand, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.” This servant of the Lord does not meet the world’s expectations of a warrior king; he does not fit the notion that “might makes right.” Instead, his way of ruling is that of a servant king whose saving power reaches into the deepest dungeons and the darkest prisons, to give light to the blind and to set the prisoners free. This kind of power upends the usual way of things in this world; it confounds tyrants and gives hope to the oppressed. No wonder Christians from earliest times have identified the “servant” in Isaiah with Jesus the Christ, who yesterday entered Jerusalem in glory but will soon bear the cross to Calvary. Give us hearts to love, O God, and hands to serve, as we follow the example of your son, our savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday, April 11 Psalm 70 The writers of the psalms are not shy. They insist that God act on their behalf and do so now: “O Lord, make haste to help me!” “O Lord, do not delay!” Neither do they hesitate to pray against their enemies: “Let those be put to shame and confusion that seek my life.” These are honest and often gut-wrenching prayers. They are also faithful prayers, as they hold God to God’s promises, trusting that God will fulfill those promises. Jesus prays one of the psalms from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps 22:1). And the psalm for today would certainly be appropriate to Jesus’ situation, as his enemies plot against him. We know, however, that in the end, he prays for his enemies, not against them: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This is good news for us, because, as Paul writes, “while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son” (Rom 5:10). Lord, teach us to pray honestly, trusting that you hear, knowing that you are faithful. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I have never been much of an athlete, but I have always loved the imagery of this passage: a track and field stadium, an Olympic-size stadium, the stands all around the track filled to overflowing with the “great cloud of witnesses.” And in that great cloud of witnesses are those saints we have loved—for me, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Herbert and Aunt Viola, Dad—along with the people of faith listed in the previous chapter— Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Rahab and countless others who through the centuries have lived by faith. And we? We are the ones running the race, cheered on by those in the stands, those we have loved and those we have never met. Sometimes we run through tears, sometimes we only manage to walk, but we persevere, looking to Jesus, “who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” As you run the race this Holy Week, follow the example of Jesus. Keep on keeping on. And know that you are surrounded by the communion of saints, the great cloud of witnesses, who are cheering you on. Lord God, we give thanks for the saints who have gone before us. Give us their faith, that we might run with perseverance the race that is set before us. In the name of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen.

Thursday, April 13 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 The scene in this passage is poignant. Jesus knows what is coming—his arrest, trial and death on a cross—but his thoughts are only for those he loves: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” The Son of God shows himself here again to be a servant king. Human rulers expect to be served; they do not serve. They are self-focused and (too often) selfserving. Jesus shows us a different way. He does what no master would do; he ties a towel around his waist and washes his disciples’ callused, dusty feet. And then he tells them to do the same—to be servants to one another. The other gospel writers speak of the institution of Holy Communion on this day. John instead describes a humble act of service, the washing of tired feet. Both are acts of love, enacted by a Lord who, even in the face of death, continues to care for those around him. This is our Lord; let us follow where he leads. Lord Jesus, you loved your disciples to the end. Teach us to follow you, seeking not to be served but to serve and to pour out our lives in love for the world. Amen.

12 Lent

Lnt Friday, April 14

Sunday, April 16

John 19:1-30

John 20:1-18

We hear again today the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, beating and crucifixion. Pilate—being the cynical, seasoned politician that he is—cannot understand this man. “What is truth?” he asks Jesus mockingly with no expectation of an answer. And then Pilate’s soldiers dress Jesus in royal purple and place a crown of thorns on his head, hailing him as “King of the Jews” as they beat him. Pilate puts up a sarcastic sign on the cross over Jesus’ head, a dig not just at the broken, bloody man on the cross but also at the Jews. You want a king? Here he is: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” When the chief priests object, he responds, “What I have written I have written.” It is no small twist of irony that the cynical Roman governor unwittingly answers his own question. What is the truth? This is the truth—that this man, pouring out his life on the cross for the sake of the world, is king. What wondrous love is this, O my soul! Lord Jesus Christ, we acclaim you as our servant king. Be with us in our own times of suffering and grant us to live with you in your kingdom, which has no end. Amen.

Saturday, April 15 “Oh, Love, How Deep,” Verse 7 The hymn that has helped guide our Lenten journey ends with praise and adoration for God, because of the same love that it celebrated at the beginning of the song—a love “so deep, so high, so broad” that God would take on “mortal form for mortals’ sake.” That love led Jesus, our servant king, to teach and serve and heal, and eventually led him to death on a cross. Now on this Holy Saturday, in between the grief of Good Friday and the promised joy of Easter Sunday, we wait with bated breath. But isn’t this where we dwell most of the time, if truth be told? Living in a world that toooften breaks our hearts, we trust that Christ has indeed conquered sin and death and we await the final victory. We live in the in-between time, Holy Saturday, but as we do so, we sing with the saints a song of praise to our God, the Holy Trinity, forever and forevermore. In this in-between time, O God, this now-and-not-yet time, open our lips to sing your praise, our eyes to see your glory, and our hearts to know your love. Amen.

Easter begins in darkness. Mary Magdalene rises before dawn to go to Jesus’ tomb, there to mourn. But when she reaches the tomb, the stone is rolled away and the body of her Teacher is gone. Easter begins in grief. Still mourning the events of Friday, Mary now weeps because she cannot even tend to the body of her Lord. “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Easter begins in death, at a tomb, with linen wrappings and a hundred pounds of myrrh, meant to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. And then—“Mary.” At the sound of her name on his lips, everything changes. Light breaks through darkness. Joy shatters grief. Life conquers death. And Mary becomes the first apostle to have seen the Lord! “We are an Easter people,” said Pope John Paul II, “and ‘Alleluia’ is our song.” We are an Easter people. Even in the midst of darkness, grief and death, we are an Easter people, because Jesus is risen and we, too, shall rise when he calls our names. Such is our proclamation. Such is our Easter hope. Such is our song: “Alleluia! Alleluia!” Risen Christ, fill our hearts with Easter hope and Easter “alleluias,” that we might be witnesses to your resurrection power at work in our lives and in our world. In your most holy name we pray. Amen.

Contributing Writers: Jessica Christy, M.Th. Student March 2; March 6-12 Mark Throntveit, Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament March 1; March 13-19 Annie Langseth, M.Div. Student March 4; March 20-26 Cameron B. R. Howard, Assistant Professor of Old Testament March 3; March 27-April 2 Jim Vitale, M.Div. Student April 3-9 Kathryn Schifferdecker, Associate Professor of Old Testament; Bible Division Chair March 5; April 10-16 Theological Editor: James Boyce, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Oh, Love, How Deep is a Luther Seminary publication.

13 Lent

Oh, Love, How Deep Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high, beyond all thought and fantasy, that God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortals’ sake! God sent no angel to our race, of higher or of lower place, but wore the robe of human frame, in Christ our Lord to this world came. For us baptized, for us he bore his holy fast and hungered sore; for us temptation sharp he knew; for us the tempter overthrew. For us he prayed; for us he taught; for us his daily works he wrought, by words and signs and actions thus still seeking not himself, but us. For us by wickedness betrayed, for us, in crown of thorns arrayed, He bore the shameful cross and death; for us he gave his dying breath. For us he rose from death again; for us he went on high to reign; for us he sent his Spirit here to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer. All glory to our Lord and God for love so deep, so high, so broad; the Trinity whom we adore forever and forevermore.


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Lent Contents 211

Introduction to the Season

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Seasonal Material Invitations to Confession 212 Kyrie Confessions 213 Gospel Acclamations 214 Intercessions 215 Introduction to the Peace 217 Prayers at the Preparation of the Table 217 Prefaces 218 Extended Preface 218 Blessings 219 Acclamations 220 Short Passages of Scripture 220

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The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday Structure 221 Notes 222 The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday 223

236

The Way of the Cross A Brief History 236 Notes 237 The Way of the Cross 238 The Traditional Stations 256

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Introduction to the Season

Lent may originally have followed Epiphany, just as Jesus’ sojourn in the wilderness followed immediately on his baptism, but it soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church’s fellowship for apostasy or serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent – self-examination, penitence, self-denial, study, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added. Now is the healing time decreed for sins of heart and word and deed, when we in humble fear record the wrong that we have done the Lord. (Latin, before 12th century) As the candidates for baptism were instructed in Christian faith, and as penitents prepared themselves, through fasting and penance, to be readmitted to communion, the whole Christian community was invited to join them in the process of study and repentance, the extension of which over forty days would remind them of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan. Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence; from the middle ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The calculation of the forty days has varied considerably in Christian history. It is now usual in the West to count them continuously to the end of Holy Week (not including Sundays), so beginning Lent on the sixth Wednesday before Easter, Ash Wednesday. Liturgical dress is the simplest possible. Churches are kept bare of flowers and decoration. Gloria in excelsis is not used. The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Refreshment Sunday) was allowed as a day of relief from the rigour of Lent, and the Feast of the Annunciation almost always falls in Lent; these breaks from austerity are the background to the modern observance of Mothering Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. As Holy Week approaches, the atmosphere of the season darkens; the readings begin to anticipate the story of Christ’s suffering and death, and the reading of the Passion Narrative gave to the Fifth Sunday its name of Passion Sunday. There are many devotional exercises which may be used in Lent and Holy Week outside the set liturgy. The Stations of the Cross, made popular in the West by the Franciscans after they were granted custody of the Christian sites in the Holy Land, are the best known.

Introduction

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Seasonal Material Invitations to Confession

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A1

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Let us come to the Lord, who is full of compassion, and acknowledge our transgressions in penitence and faith.

A2

Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him. Let us then renounce our wilfulness and ask his mercy by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

A3

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Let us confess our sins remembering before God the times when we have fallen from temptation into sin.

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Kyrie Confessions B1

Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy spirit from me: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

B2

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

B3

cf Psalm 51

We confess to you our selfishness and lack of love: fill us with your Spirit. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We confess to you our fear and failure in sharing our faith: fill us with your Spirit. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust: fill us with your Spirit. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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Gospel Acclamations G1

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. The Lord is a great God, O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts. cf Psalm 95.3,8 Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

G2

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. Blessed are those who have endured temptation; they have stood the test and will receive the crown of life. James 1.12 Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

G3

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. I am the light of the world, says the Lord, whoever follows me will have the light of life. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

G4

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Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

John 8.12

Psalm 119.105


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Intercessions H1

With confidence and trust let us pray to the Father. For the one holy catholic and apostolic Church … let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For those preparing for baptism [and confirmation] … and for their teachers and sponsors, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For peace in the world … that a spirit of respect and reconciliation may grow among nations and peoples, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer … for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For those whom we have injured or offended, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. For grace to amend our lives and to further the reign of God, let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us. In communion with all those who have walked in the way of holiness … let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

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God our Father, in your love and goodness you have taught us to come close to you in penitence with prayer, fasting and generosity; accept our Lenten discipline, and when we fall by our weakness, raise us up by your unfailing mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

H2

We pray to the Lord for courage to give up other things and to give ourselves to him this Lent. Give your Church the courage to give up her preoccupation with herself and to give more time to your mission in the world. [We pray for …] May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation. Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give your world the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace. [We pray for …] May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political and military conflict in our world. Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods and communities. [We pray for …] May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace and direction as we live with one another. Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer. Give us the courage to give up our selfishness as we live for others, and to give time, care and comfort to the sick. [We pray for …]

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May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing touch, and the light of his presence fill their rooms. Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer.

Lnt

Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in faith. [Especially we hold … in our minds.] May the feet of the risen Lord Jesus, once nailed to the cross, walk alongside the dying and bereaved in their agony, and walk with us and all your Church through death to the gate of glory. Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer, here and in eternity. Amen.

Introduction to the Peace J1

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5.1,2 who has given us access to his grace.

Prayers at the Preparation of the Table K1

God of wisdom, may the light of your eternal Word, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, lead us in holiness and guide us to glory; we ask this in his name. Amen.

K2

God of mercy and compassion, your Word calls us home to faith and love. accept all we offer you this day; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

K3

God of our journey, as we walk with you on your path of obedience, sustain us on our way and lead us to your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prefaces L1

And now we give you thanks because you give us the spirit of discipline, that we may triumph over evil and grow in grace, as we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed.

L2

And now we give you thanks because he was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

L3

And now we give you thanks because each year you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you and of willing service to our neighbour. As we recall the saving acts that give new life in Christ, you bring the image of your Son to perfection within our hearts.

Extended Preface M1

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It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again. Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendour of your love. As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels for ever praising you and saying:


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Blessings P1

Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing …

P2

God, who from the death of sin raised you to new life in Christ, keep you from falling and set you in the presence of his glory; and the blessing …

P3

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit, give to you a contrite heart. Amen. May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds. Amen. May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. Amen. And the blessing …

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Acclamations R1

R2

This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son. He is the sacrifice for our sins, that we might live through him. If God loves us so much we ought to love one another. If we love one another God lives in us.

cf 1 John 4.10-12

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust. You are the God of my salvation; To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. In you I hope all the day long. O my God, in you I trust. Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust.

Short Passages of Scripture S1

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51.18

S2

S3

220

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness.

Psalm 103.8

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30.15

S4

He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1.13

S5

Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21.36

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The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday

Structure ¶

The Gathering The Greeting Introduction The Collect

¶

The Liturgy of the Word Readings Gospel Reading Sermon

¶

The Liturgy of Penitence Self-examination and Confession Imposition of Ashes Absolution

¶

The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Preparation of the Table Taking of the Bread and Wine The Eucharistic Prayer The Lord’s Prayer Breaking of the Bread Giving of Communion Prayer after Communion

¶

The Dismissal Responsory The Dismissal Gospel The Blessing The Dismissal

Ash Wednesday

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The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday Notes 1

Liturgical Colour for Lent The traditional colour is violet; if possible, this should be different from the imperial purple used for Advent. Lenten Array, which is unbleached linen, may also be used. Hangings and flowers should be removed, though dry arrangements may be appropriate.

2

When to use the Rite This service is intended for use on Ash Wednesday, but where necessary it may be used up to the first Sunday in Lent.

3

Silence The silence during the Liturgy of Penitence is an integral part of the rite and should not be omitted or reduced to a mere pause.

4

Confession and Absolution Other authorized forms of confession and absolution may replace the forms used in this service.

5

Ash The ash used for the Imposition of Ashes may be made from the burnt palm crosses of the previous year. Members of the congregation may be asked to return the palm crosses to church on the Sunday before Lent and the palm crosses could be burned as part of the activities of Shrove Tuesday. If necessary, other provision may be made.

6

Imposition of Ashes The president may be assisted by others with the imposition of ashes, especially in larger congregations. The ashes may be imposed with the words provided or in silence, or brief personal prayer may be offered.

7

Dismissal Gospel The Responsory and the reading of a Dismissal Gospel are optional.

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The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday ¶ The Gathering At the entry of the ministers a hymn may be sung. The president may say

All

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Greeting The president greets the people

All

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and also with you.

Introduction The president explains the meaning of Lent and invites the people to observe it faithfully Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting. By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word. The Trisagion or another suitable penitential song may be used All

Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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The Collect The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words Let us pray for grace to keep Lent faithfully. Silence is kept.

All

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (or)

All

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Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin and through the death of your Son bring us healing and make us whole in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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¶ The Liturgy of the Word Readings Either one or two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading. At the end of each the reader may say All

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.

Gospel Reading This acclamation may herald the Gospel reading

All

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. The Lord is a great God, O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

cf Psalm 95.3, 8

When the Gospel is announced the reader says All

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N. Glory to you, O Lord. At the end

All

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

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¶ The Liturgy of Penitence Self-examination and Confession A minister now leads a corporate examination of conscience, using one of these forms or another suitable form Either

Let us now call to mind our sin and the infinite mercy of God.

All

God the Father, have mercy on us.

All

God the Son, have mercy on us.

All

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

All

Trinity of love, have mercy on us.

All

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed.

All

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Lord, have mercy.

All

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Lord, have mercy. We confess to you, Lord …

All

all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy and impatience of our lives. Lord, have mercy.

All

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people. Lord, have mercy.

All

Our anger at our own frustration and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves. Lord, have mercy.

All

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts and our dishonesty in daily life and work. Lord, have mercy.

All

Our negligence in prayer and worship and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. Lord, have mercy.

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Accept our repentance, Lord …

All

for the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty. Accept our repentance, Lord.

All

For all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from us. Accept our repentance, Lord.

All

For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us. Accept our repentance, Lord.

All

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us. Favourably hear us, for your mercy is great.

All

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, that we may show your glory in the world.

All

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. Silence is kept.

All

We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. If the people are to be marked with ash this should follow here; otherwise the service continues with an authorized absolution and the exchange of the Peace.

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Let us now call to mind our sin and the infinite mercy of God.

All

God the Father, have mercy upon us.

All

God the Son, have mercy upon us.

All

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us.

All

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon us.

All

From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all evil intent, good Lord, deliver us.

All

From sloth, worldliness and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws, good Lord, deliver us.

All

From sins of body and mind; from the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil, good Lord, deliver us.

All

In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of death, and at the day of judgement, good Lord, deliver us.

All

By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood and obedience; by your baptism, fasting and temptation, good Lord, deliver us.

All

By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; and by your preaching of the kingdom, good Lord, deliver us.

All

By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; and by your precious death and burial, good Lord, deliver us.

All

By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit, good Lord, deliver us.

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Give us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy word. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us. Silence is kept.

All All

Make our hearts clean, O God; and renew a right spirit within us. Father eternal, giver of light and grace, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour, in what we have thought, in what we have said and done, through ignorance, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We have wounded your love, and marred your image in us. We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light. Amen. If the people are to be marked with ash this should follow here, otherwise the service continues with an authorized absolution and the exchange of the Peace.

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The Imposition of Ashes If the imposition of ashes is to follow, the president says Dear friends in Christ, I invite you to receive these ashes as a sign of the spirit of penitence with which we shall keep this season of Lent.

All

God our Father, you create us from the dust of the earth: grant that these ashes may be for us a sign of our penitence and a symbol of our mortality; for it is by your grace alone that we receive eternal life in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. The president and people receive the imposition of ashes, the president first receiving the imposition from another minister. At the imposition the minister says to each person Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. or the ashes may be imposed without the use of words. During the imposition silence may be kept, or a hymn, anthem or psalm may be sung. One of these two prayers may be said by the president

All

God our Father, the strength of all who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers; and because, in our weakness, we can do nothing good without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (or)

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The Lord enrich you with his grace, and nourish you with his blessing; the Lord defend you in trouble and keep you from all evil; the Lord accept your prayers, and absolve you from your offences, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

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¶ The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.

All

The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. These words may be added Let us offer one another a sign of peace. All may exchange a sign of peace.

Preparation of the Table Taking of the Bread and Wine A hymn may be sung. The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented. The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. At the preparation of the table one of these prayers may be said

All

Merciful Father, turn us from sin to faithfulness and from disobedience to love, and prepare us to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ our Saviour who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen. (or)

All

Risen Lord and Saviour, present among us with the wealth of your love. Cleanse us from sin and give us the faith to offer our praise and grow in your grace. Amen. The president takes the bread and wine.

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The Eucharistic Prayer The president uses one of the authorized Eucharistic Prayers. One of the following Proper Prefaces may be used where appropriate. It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again. Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendour of your love. As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels for ever praising you and saying: (or) And now we give you thanks because you give us the spirit of discipline, that we may triumph over evil and grow in grace, as we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed.

The Lord’s Prayer Lord Jesus, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. The Lord’s Prayer is said.

Breaking of the Bread The president breaks the consecrated bread.

All

Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. The Agnus Dei may be used as the bread is broken.

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Giving of Communion

Lnt

The president says Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. (or)

All

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. The Prayer of Humble Access may be used. During the distribution hymns and anthems may be sung. The Common Worship provision is followed for consecration of additional bread and wine and for disposing of what remains (Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, page 182).

Prayer after Communion Silence is kept. This Post Communion or other suitable prayer is said

All

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life. give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive these his inestimable gifts, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. All may say

All

God of our pilgrimage, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Refresh and sustain us as we go forward on our journey, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Ash Wednesday

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¶ The Dismissal A hymn may be sung.

Responsory This responsory may be used All All All All

This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son. He is the sacrifice for our sins, that we might live through him. If God loves us so much we ought to love one another. If we love one another God lives in us.

cf 1 John 4.12

The Dismissal Gospel This Dismissal Gospel may be used All

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who Luke 15.4-7 need no repentance.

All

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This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

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The Blessing

Lnt

Either of these blessings may be used

All

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit, give to you a contrite heart. Amen.

All

May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds. Amen.

All

May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. Amen.

All

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. (or)

All

Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

The Dismissal A minister dismisses the people. These words may be used All

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. (or)

All

Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. The ministers and people depart.

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The Way of the Cross A Brief History The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion at Passiontide for many centuries because they enable us to engage actively with the path of suffering walked by Jesus. They originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted to follow literally in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary. They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries and ever since then Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion. In the late fourteenth century the Franciscans were given the responsibility for the holy places of Jerusalem and they erected tableaux to aid the devotion of the visitors. These kinds of images are now commonplace inside churches, and occasionally outside them. The number of stations has varied immensely through the centuries from as few as five to as many as thirty-six, but the now traditional number of fourteen was established by Clement XII in 1731 – nine scriptural stations and a further five based on popular devotion. However, owing to the increasing ecumenical popularity of this devotion there have been attempts to create a wholly scriptural set on which to focus. The selection of stations presented here all have their root in the biblical story of Jesus rather than drawing on legend or popular, yet unscriptural, stories. This development makes the Stations of the Cross more accessible to all traditions within the Christian Church. The recent rediscovery of the unity of the death and resurrection of Jesus has also led to the inclusion of a fifteenth station – the Resurrection. Though this may be superseded by the emergence of the Stations of the Resurrection as part of popular devotion, it is strongly suggested that this station be included, especially if the stations are used outside Lent and Passiontide. Here, we offer liturgical resources only for scriptural stations, because those churches which have non-scriptural tableaux in place will probably have the resources already. Many churches will no doubt continue to use the fourteen ‘traditional’ stations because they are determined by the tableaux that are hung in the churches. For the information of those who may wish to use the ‘traditional’ stations they are listed on page 256. The stations may be used as a focus for personal prayer or as part of a liturgical celebration. In this latter context they have been used either as a whole service in themselves, or a few of the stations have been used in the context of a larger liturgical celebration.

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Notes 1

Images As well as the traditional tableaux around the walls of (or even outside) churches, there are a number of publishers who produce images that can easily be displayed when the Stations are used. There are also ways of representing the stations symbolically: for example, the Agony in the Garden could be represented by a goblet or chalice with wine in it, the betrayal and arrest by a pair of handcuffs etc. At the beginning of the service a large cross could be prominent, or brought in, from which the Gathering and the Conclusion could be led.

2

Movement Movement is at the heart of this kind of worship. If possible, people should be encouraged to leave their places, move around the building and gather at each station. However, where it is necessary for the congregation to stay in their seats they could be encouraged to turn and face each of the stations.

3

Structuring the Service The structure of the main part of the service is self-explanatory. The Gathering and the Conclusion should always be included. It is not necessary that all the stations be used in one act of worship; a few of them might be used over a number of weeks. It is recommended, however, that the order presented here should be maintained.

4

Response At the end there is the opportunity to insert an appropriate response. This could be penitence, praise, intercession or some action that is appropriate to the stations selected.

5

Music Hymns or songs may be added at suitable points. It is traditional to use a verse from the hymn Stabat Mater to conclude each station. If this is used it could replace the Trisagion.

6

Holy Communion If the stations are to form part of a service of Holy Communion they form the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Sacrament begins with the Peace. Care should be taken to conform with the requirements of A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion (Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, page 25).

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The Way of the Cross ¶ The Gathering The ministers enter in silence.

All

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ Matthew 16.24,25 Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near Ephesians 2.13,14 through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace. An appropriate greeting may be given. A minister may introduce the service and then says Let us pray. A brief moment of silence follows.

All All

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Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ First Station: Jesus in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane All

Lnt

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but Mark 14.32-36 what you want.’

Reflection / Meditation Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you entered the garden of fear and faced the agony of your impending death: be with those who share that agony and face death unwillingly this day. You shared our fear and knew the weakness of our humanity: give strength and hope to the dispirited and despairing. To you, Jesus, who sweated blood, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Second Station: Jesus betrayed by Judas and arrested All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him Mark 14.43-46 and arrested him.


Prayer

All All

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Lord Jesus, you were betrayed by the kiss of a friend: be with those who are betrayed and slandered and falsely accused. You knew the experience of having your love thrown back in your face for mere silver: be with families which are torn apart by mistrust or temptation. To you, Jesus, who offered your face to your betrayer, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Third Station: Jesus condemned by the Sanhedrin All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands”.’ But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven”.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. Mark 14.55-64


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you were the victim of religious bigotry: be with those who are persecuted by small-minded authority. You faced the condemnation of fearful hearts: deepen the understanding of those who shut themselves off from the experience and wisdom of others. To you, Jesus, unjustly judged victim, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Fourth Station: Peter denies Jesus All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. Mark 14.72


Prayer

All All

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Lord Jesus, as Peter betrayed you, you experienced the double agony of love rejected and friendship denied: be with those who know no friends and are rejected by society. You understood the fear within Peter: help us to understand the anxieties of those who fear for their future. To you, Jesus, who gazed with sadness at your lost friend, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Fifth Station: Jesus judged by Pilate All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15.14,15


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you were condemned to death for political expediency: be with those who are imprisoned for the convenience of the powerful. You were the victim of unbridled injustice: change the minds and motivations of oppressors and exploiters to your way of peace. To you, Jesus, innocent though condemned, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Sixth Station: Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. Mark 15.17-19


Prayer

All All

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Lord Jesus, you faced the torment of barbaric punishment and mocking tongue: be with those who cry out in physical agony and emotional distress. You endured unbearable abuse: be with those who face torture and mockery in our world today. To you, Jesus, the King crowned with thorns, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Seventh Station: Jesus carries the cross All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15.20


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you carried the cross through the rough streets of Jerusalem: be with those who are loaded with burdens beyond their strength. You bore the weight of our sins when you carried the cross: help us to realize the extent and the cost of your love for us. To you, Jesus, bearing a cross not your own, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Eighth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Mark 15.21


Prayer

All All

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Lord Jesus, you were worn down by fatigue: be with those from whom life drains all energy. You needed the help of a passing stranger: give us the humility to receive aid from others. To you, Jesus, weighed down with exhaustion and in need of help, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Ninth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Luke. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say,“Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills,“Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ Luke 23.27-31


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, the women of Jerusalem wept for you: move us to tears at the plight of the broken in our world. You embraced the pain of Jerusalem, the ‘city of peace’: bless Jerusalem this day and lead it to the path of profound peace. To you, Jesus, the King of peace who wept for the city of peace, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Tenth Station: Jesus is crucified All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. Mark 15.24


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Lord Jesus, you bled in pain as the nails were driven into your flesh: transform through the mystery of your love the pain of those who suffer. To you, Jesus, our crucified Lord, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Eleventh Station: Jesus promises the kingdom to the penitent thief All

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Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Luke. One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will Luke 23.39-43 be with me in Paradise.’


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, even in your deepest agony you listened to the crucified thief: hear us as we unburden to you our deepest fears. You spoke words of love in your hour of death: help us to speak words of life to a dying world. To you, Jesus, who offer hope to the hopeless, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Twelfth Station: Jesus on the cross; his mother and his friend All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to John. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. John 19.26,27


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Lord Jesus, your mother and your dearest friend stayed with you to the bitter end, yet even while racked with pain you ministered to them: be with all broken families today and care for those who long for companionship. You cared for your loved ones even in your death-throes: give us a love for one another that is stronger even than the fear of death. To you, Jesus, loving in the face of death, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Thirteenth Station: Jesus dies on the cross All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ Then Jesus gave a loud Mark 15.34-37 cry and breathed his last.


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you died on the cross and entered the bleakest of all circumstances: give courage to those who die at the hands of others. In death you entered into the darkest place of all: illumine our darkness with your glorious presence. To you, Jesus, your lifeless body hanging on the tree of shame, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ Fourteenth Station: Jesus laid in the tomb All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mark 15.46


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Lord Jesus, Lord of life, you became as nothing for us: be with those who feel worthless and as nothing in the world’s eyes. You were laid in a cold, dark tomb and hidden from sight: be with all who suffer and die in secret, hidden from the eyes of the world. To you, Jesus, your rigid body imprisoned in a tomb, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

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¶ Fifteenth Station: Jesus risen from the dead All


Reading A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16.4-8


Prayer

All All

Lord Jesus, you were dead but now you are alive: transform the torments of this world’s sin that we may see your radiant glory. You were raised from death to life: may the power of your resurrection live in us, that we may be channels of your true life beyond measure. To you, Jesus, who have broken free from the bonds of death, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.


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¶ The Conclusion A response may be made to the preceding stations. This might take the form of praise, penitence, intercession or some other relevant action, accompanied by silence or singing. Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us. The Lord’s Prayer is said.

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Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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One of the following responsories is used You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God. All

All

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to stand and serve before our God; to him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour, glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen. (or)

All

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Christ was manifested in the body, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed in throughout the world, glorified in high heaven.

All


All

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

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May God bless us, that in us may be found love and humility, obedience and thanksgiving, discipline, gentleness and peace. Amen. The ministers depart in silence.


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The Way of the Cross: the ‘Traditional’ Stations I Pilate condemns Jesus to death II Jesus accepts his cross III Jesus falls the first time IV Jesus meets his mother V Simon helps Jesus carry the cross VI Veronica offers her veil to Jesus VII Jesus falls the second time VIII Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem IX Jesus falls the third time X Jesus is stripped of his garments XI Jesus is nailed to the cross XII Jesus dies on the cross XIII Jesus is taken down from the cross XIV Jesus is placed in the tomb A further station depicting the resurrection of Jesus may be added.

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