HOLY WEDNESDAY (www.ministrymatters.com)
Prayer
Most merciful God, your Son, our Savior, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
(Common English Bible)
The Lord God gave me an educated tongue
to know how to respond to the weary
with a word that will awaken them in the morning.
God awakens my ear in the morning to listen,
as educated people do.
The Lord God opened my ear;
I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back.
Instead, I gave my body to attackers,
and my cheeks to beard pluckers.
I didn’t hide my face from insults and spitting.
The Lord God will help me;
therefore, I haven’t been insulted.
Therefore, I set my face like flint,
and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed.
The one who will declare me innocent is near.
Who will argue with me?
Let’s stand up together.
Who will bring judgment against me?
Let him approach me.
Look! The Lord God will help me.
Who will condemn me?
Look, they will wear out like clothing;
the moth will eat them.
Responsory (based on Hebrews 12:1-3)
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us run the race that is set before us!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us look to Jesus who reigns in power!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Gospel: John 13:21-30
(Common English Bible)
After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”
His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night.
Reflect(silently or share in a group):
What is the race you are running? How does God support you in that race? How do you understand Jesus to be the pioneer and perfecter of your faith?
Prayers for Others based on the Lord’s Prayer
(Ecumenical Text)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Hear our prayers of gratitude for your mercy and love....
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Hear our prayers for your coming reign of peace....
Give us today our daily bread.
Hear our prayers for the homeless and those with minimal shelter...
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Hear our prayers for reconciliation with those who have wronged us....
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
Hear our prayers for those who suffer because of the spread of the Covid-19 virus....
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Sing “Guide My Feet”
(The Faith We Sing #2208)
To hear the song, use the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-WVIppNBls
Guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Hold my hand . . .
Stand by me . . .
I’m your child . . .
Search my heart . . .
Guide my feet . . .
Prayer
Most merciful God, your Son, our Savior, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
(Common English Bible)
The Lord God gave me an educated tongue
to know how to respond to the weary
with a word that will awaken them in the morning.
God awakens my ear in the morning to listen,
as educated people do.
The Lord God opened my ear;
I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back.
Instead, I gave my body to attackers,
and my cheeks to beard pluckers.
I didn’t hide my face from insults and spitting.
The Lord God will help me;
therefore, I haven’t been insulted.
Therefore, I set my face like flint,
and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed.
The one who will declare me innocent is near.
Who will argue with me?
Let’s stand up together.
Who will bring judgment against me?
Let him approach me.
Look! The Lord God will help me.
Who will condemn me?
Look, they will wear out like clothing;
the moth will eat them.
Responsory (based on Hebrews 12:1-3)
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us run the race that is set before us!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Let us look to Jesus who reigns in power!
Do not grow weary or lose heart.
Gospel: John 13:21-30
(Common English Bible)
After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”
His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night.
Reflect(silently or share in a group):
What is the race you are running? How does God support you in that race? How do you understand Jesus to be the pioneer and perfecter of your faith?
Prayers for Others based on the Lord’s Prayer
(Ecumenical Text)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Hear our prayers of gratitude for your mercy and love....
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Hear our prayers for your coming reign of peace....
Give us today our daily bread.
Hear our prayers for the homeless and those with minimal shelter...
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Hear our prayers for reconciliation with those who have wronged us....
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
Hear our prayers for those who suffer because of the spread of the Covid-19 virus....
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Sing “Guide My Feet”
(The Faith We Sing #2208)
To hear the song, use the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-WVIppNBls
Guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Hold my hand . . .
Stand by me . . .
I’m your child . . .
Search my heart . . .
Guide my feet . . .
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