Posted April 15, 2014

Used with permission of  Creighton University Online Ministries

Invitatory:

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Collect:

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:

Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38

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Daily Meditation:

Let me receive your forgiveness and mercy. The second Servant song shapes our reflection today as we watch that amazing dinner scene on Tuesday of this passion week. We experience the pain of his knowing that he will be betrayed and denied. Yet, the hour he is about to face is the hour of his Glory. And he promises that where he is going, we will surely follow. Our desire is to celebrate the gift being offered us.

It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel. I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. – Isaiah 49

Intercessions:

Let us pray to Christ our Savior, who redeemed us by his death and resurrection: Lord, have mercy on us.

You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, – bring your Church to the Passover feast of heaven.

You were lifted high on the cross and pierced by the soldier’s lance, – heal our wounds.

You made the cross the tree of life, – give its fruit to those reborn in baptism.

On the cross you forgave the repentant thief, – forgive us our sins.

Closing Prayer:

God of such unwavering love, how do I “celebrate” the passion and death of Jesus? I often want to look the other way and not watch, not stay with Jesus in his suffering. Give me the strength to see his love with honesty and compassion and to feel deeply your own forgiveness and mercy for me. Help me to understand how to “celebrate” this week. I want be able to bring my weaknesses and imperfections with me as I journey with Jesus this week, so aware of his love.

Conclusion:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.