Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, in which Christians contemplate the final week of Jesus’ life. This week, which begins on Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter, invites followers of Christ into experiencing the salvation that God gives us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
In the fourth century, Cyril of Jersualem, an early church father wrote of this week:
“O strange and wonderful event! We were not really put to death, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified, we were not really brought back to life. But, though the imitation was symbolic, the salvation is very real! Christ was truly crucified, truly buried, truly raised up. And all this was given to us by grace in order that we might share his sufferings by imitating them, and thus truly obtain salvation. How vast is God’s love for humanity!” (Catechetical Lectures, XX, 5)
This week, as we hear the accounts from scripture, meditate upon Jesus’ final words and actions, and join Christians across the globe and throughout history in the observance of this Great Week, we are joined again to God’s grace and mercy.
Please join us in worship at Luther Memorial this week. Information about the services can be found below.
In Christ,
Pastor Emily
emily@lcmmadison.org
P.S. If you want to know more about how LM is ensuring safety at worship, you can read their worship guidelines. If you don’t feel comfortable going to worship, you can watch the services from home.
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