holy Week 2023: Monday

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
 He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
     he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.

 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
 I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

 I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not yield my glory to another
    or my praise to idols.
 See, the former things have taken place,
    and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
    I announce them to you.

- Isaiah 42:1-9

What does Isaiah say the servant of the Lord will do?

Pray using the words Jesus taught us to pray:

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”

- Matthew 6:9-13

On Monday of this Holy Week, we read the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume to prepare him for burial. Imagine the events described in the text and put yourself in Mary’s shoes.

Read John 12:1-8 and Matthew 26:6-13.

What are the similarities between these two accounts? What are the differences? Why do you think Judas and the disciples are annoyed by Mary’s actions? What does Jesus say about what she does?

Listen to the following video:

What is this story saying to you? What needs to change in your life as a result of hearing this message about Jesus?

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:18

Use the following Psalm to thank God for his marvelous love displayed for you through his Son, Jesus:

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.

- Psalm 36:5-10