Suggestions for Holy WeekAs we contemplate the days leading up to our Lord’s suffering and death on the cross, I offer the following suggestions. The first is to set aside some time to read one (or more) of the gospel accounts of the passion and meditate upon it. You can read them online here: Matthew 26:14-27:66 Mark 14:1-15:47 Luke 22:14-23:56 John 18:1-19:42 The second suggestion might be to participate in as many of the services being offered during the week: Palm Sunday, Stations of the Cross, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course Easter. A third suggestion is to start each day this week with the following prayers. Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Blessings,
Matthew+ Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP p.101) | 
