This week I reflect on Lenten fasting, and our continued ‘fasting with love’ by practicing physical distancing. We may be physically apart, but the diocesan website has details of the many online services and daily prayer options available to bring us together. The website also provides educational and Christian formation resources we can use to help us remain in Christ.
Funding is vital to the work that our churches are performing. Please continue with your pledges and offerings. You can put a check in the mail and many churches have online giving options.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral is Hosting a Diocesan-wide Easter Vigil Service of Light. Churches around the diocese will be holding online Easter Eucharists either immediately following the Vigil or on Easter Sunday, check with your church for their plans.
I’ve taken Matthew 21:1-11 as my text to introduce the events of Holy Week, and how we shouldn’t feel that God has abandoned us. Finally, I end with a story relating where God can be found.
- Diocesan-wide Easter Vigil Service of Light will be broadcast online from Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral on Facebook and YouTube at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11
- Online Worship and Prayer Resources – Links to all the diocesan churches providing online worship and prayers.
- Home Worship Resources – a selection of suggestions and materials to help you in prayer, worship, and play at home.
- Diocesan COVID-19 Webpage – providing links to all the key resources and news.
Matthew 21:1-11 Liturgy of the Palms
21 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11
Collect for the Sunday of the Passion: 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.
Book of Common Prayer p219