From Mother Megan:
Holy Week, that most sacred of weeks, is nearly upon us. We begin with Palm Sunday--the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and then the remembrance of our Lord washing the feet of the disciples and giving the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday. We continue with the crucifixion on Good Friday, and it all culminates with the celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
This year, I would like to introduce something to our common life here at St. John's. On Maundy Thursday, I would like to begin a practice of foot washing within the liturgy.
Now, this might sound alarming to some of you ("Ack! But my feet are so smelly/gross/awful-looking! Please don't make me show them!"). But feet have always been peculiarly vulnerable. In Jesus' time, only the lowest servant washed the feet of guests, because feet were understood to be utterly awful, and slightly embarrassing; everyone was, after all, walking around in unsanitary dirt streets all day. And yet, not only did Jesus wash the feet of his friends, he asked them to wash the feet of others, as well. He asks them to be present in all their human vulnerability, and to minister to others' in their vulnerability as well.
And so, in accordance with time-honored liturgical tradition, after the sermon on Thursday, we will wash feet. I will someone's feet first, and then they will, in turn, wash the next person's feet, and so on. I invite you to pray about it and consider making this a part of your Maundy Thursday practice.
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Prayer for the week
For Palm Sunday:
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Maundy Thursday:
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Good Friday:
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for this Week
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