Wednesday - April 24, 2024

SCRIPTURE  Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; and Mark 15:34 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? WORDS OF HOPE From the hardwood of the cross, Jesus recites the first line from Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? At the most immediate level, Jesus expresses profound human suffering. It’s abandonment, pain, and isolation. He experiences the depths of human despair, not just physical agony but spiritual desolation. Throughout history and even up to today, in places where conflict, hunger, and displacement overlap, Jesus makes the experience of despair and desolation his own. When Jesus cries out the opening line of Psalm 22, he is not only expressing his suffering—he is standing in solidarity with all who feel forsaken. In Sudan, Jesus bears company with those where civil war has displaced millions, famine is emerging and people are cut off from stability, food, and safety. In Gaza, Jesus shares the plight of those where 80% of the infrastructure is damaged and widespread food insecurity continues. On the streets of the wealthiest country on Earth, Jesus makes the experience his own with the 770,000 persons are in shelters or are unsheltered in the United States each night and in homes where 1 in 5 children are not properly nourished. In the Middle East, Jesus enters into the suffering of tens of millions at risk of hunger due to escalating war. In Lebanon, he stands with the 800,000 people forced from their homes, seeking shelter and safety. Reading Psalm 22 beyond verse 1, we read that the psalm begins in despair but moves toward trust and vindication, even joy. Simply saying the words of verse 1, those witnessing the crucifixion see Jesus pointing beyond suffering to ultimate deliverance. What appears as defeat is actually a part of God’s redemptive plan. This first verse of Psalm 22 holds together honesty and hope. It doesn’t sanitize suffering but anchors it within the larger story of trust and redemption. As you go to the cross on this Good Friday, witness not just the suffering of Christ on the cross, but bear witness to all those with whom Jesus is standing in solidarity. And know that Jesus is holding together both the depth of despair and the stubborn hope of faith. PRAYER Let us pray, from the liturgy of Good Friday in the Episcopal Book of Common prayer: 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. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

SCRIPTURE  1 Corinthians 11, 23b-25 On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it he said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me,” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and God’s people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” WORDS OF HOPE I’m sure that this passage, or a variation of these words, are among the most familiar excerpts of Scripture you hear every week when you participate in the breaking of bread. These words are the Apostle Paul’s which he recorded for all time as he served Holy Communion to his followers in Corinth. On this Maundy Thursday, we remember the establishment of that tradition in the event we now call The Last Supper. As the days of Holy Week come to an end, most people realize that Good Friday does not refer to a “good” event that happened on that day. The “good” part of the event is based on an ancient word, “goude”, meaning pious or holy. That designation began in around 1300 to signify the holiest of sacrifices. On the night before that sacrifice, Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ final commandment in the sense of a mandate as he educated his followers in a ceremony that was to become known as Holy Communion. “Maundy” is a shortened version of “mandatum”, a Latin word meaning “command” but it’s more in the nature of an extension of the Love Commandment: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.”(John 13.34) These words were delivered on the same evening as the Last Supper, as he washed his Disciples’ feet. The “mandate” that followed would serve as a reminder to them of the profound extent that love was to reach. Jesus loved them enough to die for them. He was about to literally give his body and his blood. That holy meal was to become a continual reminder of the salvation offered through the ritual of sharing through a meal of mutual love. As he emphasized “Remember me” he was telling them to remember that love has no limits; the mandate of peace on earth. PRAYER May we recall Jesus’ timeless words on this Maundy Thursday as we remember his life of boundless love. As we strive for a world free of hatred and mindless wars, may our love also have no limits. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE John 13:21-26 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining close to his heart; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. WORDS OF HOPE Though this passage clearly foretells of the betrayal by Judas, I find the scene itself has a lot to say. The mention of “ One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining close to his heart;” is what stands out to me here. This disciple, who is never named directly, essentially is laying with his head against Jesus’ chest, in his lap most likely as means were taken while reclining. It is an intimate and very touching image. It is a pesky reference that biblical scholars often debate and try to identify the individual. Some say it is John, the Evangelist, while others argue that is is a metaphorical reference meant to symbolizes the "abiding" relationship Jesus invites all believers into. There are even those who believe it was Mary Magdline, but there are other references to her and the unnamed disciple at Jesus’ tomb. I prefer to think of this as a hint to a same-sex relationship, though there is not any definitive scholarship on this interpretation. I suppose it will always remain a mystery, but it is one that speaks of a deep love and intimacy that resonates with me. Perhaps, at this pivotal moment in Jesus story we can take comfort knowing that Jesus was unafraid to show a physical closeness to his disciples. It reflects the very character of Jesus as being both fearless in his exposing of the one who would betray him and his love and closeness to a person who will most likely remain a mystery. PRAYER May we embrace the love exhibited by Jesus and hold those dear to us even closer, even when we may have fears about what is to come. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Hardy Haberman

SCRIPTURE  Romans 8:31-37 If God is for us, who is against us? Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship or distress... No, for in all such things, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. WORDS OF HOPE On this Tuesday of Holy Week, sometimes called Jesus’ busiest of days, we observe Jesus in various interactions with every variety of religious leader, disciple, townspeople, and distractors. Everywhere he goes in Jerusalem, he seems to be followed by accusations, questions, and conflicts. Have you ever felt backed into a corner by life’s seemingly overwhelming challenges? Today’s Scripture contains some of the Bible’s most hopeful words and ones most of us need to hear every day. As Paul wrote these words to the young church at Rome, he was offering encouragement and instruction to them. Much like our own world, in the period of 50-60 CE, the Christian church in that city was in constant change. It had gone through an earlier purge of its Jewish citizens under the Emperor Claudius. Many of those Jews, who had been exiled at that time, now had returned to Rome and found that the young church which they previously knew had changed. With the earlier expulsion of its Jewish Christians, the church had become a predominantly Gentile congregation. Many of those returning Jews had probably lost their Roman homes, businesses, and social status. They returned like immigrants to the church they had helped to create, and their welcome back was probably less than enthusiastic. For those faithful Jews, it must have been heartbreaking to sense a separation from all that they had loved in their church group. In our present time, many people are suffering loss. Sometimes, it is manifested in the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or even faith in our own government. Paul encouraged those Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church when he reminded them that hardships happen to all, but hope must not be lost. Paul knew that our greatest treasure, which is our loving relationship with Christ Jesus, cannot be taken away from us. His encouragement continues: "For nothing can separate us from Christ, for I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor rulers, nor things present or in the future, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) PRAYER Grant us Lord God, not to be overly anxious about the physical things of this earthly life, but to hold dear and love those spiritual gifts which are part of your loving providence for us. Even while we are placed here among those earthly things which are passing away, help us to hold fast to your loving spiritual gifts which shall endure. We pray through Jesus's name. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Isaiah 48.18 Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea… WORDS OF HOPE Right or Righteous? On this Monday of Holy Week, is it more important to be righteous than it is to be right? If you do not have love, then you have gained nothing by being right. Words with malice, judgment, and manipulation in them defeat the purpose of being right. Some people look at the surface and judge incorrectly, so isn’t it great that God never asked us to judge? You can be right, but that doesn’t always mean it is time to be right. Sometimes being righteous means being patient, kind with your words, and sincere. If I’m right, what does it gain me if my sister is harmed? Today, people have a hard time coming together if they don’t always agree. Isn’t it more righteous to agree to disagree in spirit, not just in word, by coming together to the same table? I’d rather not know anything. Consider me a fool. They call me an idealist, but I ask, “Do I have to be of a certain religion to feed the hungry?” No one I ever helped ever refused me because of my sexual orientation, the color of my skin, or any of my personal beliefs. A man dying of hunger will rarely refuse a meal. Should we make requirements of those who want to give? There is something truly beautiful in coming together. I want to forget about who is right and who is wrong and laugh over the silliness of it all. How did things get so far away from us? We are so divided now. Being righteous is forgiving when it is hard, when you know you are right, and when he or she is your enemy. Invite your enemy to your table. You are the gift the world needs. The love has to start somewhere, and it is with you. PRAYER Lord, show me a table where a Christian and a Muslim sit together. On another end, let there be an atheist next to a Rabbi, a prostitute next to a saint, a monk next to an assassin, and an Israeli next to a Palestinian. Let there be peace in our homes, so that when we leave, we can go in that peace with the hopes that it will spread to others. There is so little love for the stranger all because we don’t know who she is. Let the walls to our hearts come down and the doors swing open. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order of St. Francis and St. Clare