Easter Day, the Resurrection of our Lord- Mark 16:6; Luke 24:34

 He is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. (St. Mark 16. 6; St. Luke 24. 34)

Some Christians have celebrated Easter so long or so often that they may take it for granted, but we should pause for serious reflection about the Resurrection. We ought to be excited and joyful. Christ's Resurrection should continue to fill us with amazement and awe. It is the greatest manifestation of divine power, the greatest miracle, yet seen in human history. God's new act through Jesus Christ His only Son is truly awe-inspiring. 

Early on a Sunday in the first century,  the crucified Christ rose from the dead. A power greater than any natural forces we know broke into human history. Divine energy transformed the dead body of a defeated Jewish teacher into the glorious body of the Lord of all creation. God overcame sin and death and by raising Jesus, He also offered us new and eternal life. He transformed the Cross, the cruel instrument of shame and painful death into a symbol of new and glorious life. This is the great mystery at the heart of the Christian faith, and it still fills our hearts with awe and with joy. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 128. 24)

Good Friday- The Passion according to St. John 18 and 19

Good Friday is one of the most important observances of the Christian year. Over the centuries, Christians have developed a variety of devotions appropriate for the day. One resource used by some Christians has been a timeline to guide meditations throughout the day. Some such timelines have tried to draw together the different Passion accounts, but ten years ago, I developed the following one based on St. John chapters 18 and 19 which are used in the traditional readings for the day.

Friday morning just after midnight - Confrontation in Garden and Jesus' Arrest (John 18:1-12)

Friday early morning hours– Jesus is taken to the house of Annas, former High Priest; Peter's first denial; Jesus receives initial physical abuse (John 18:13-23);

Jesus sent to the High Priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Court –Peter's second and third denials; Jesus bloodied by abuse (John 18:24-27).

Friday 6:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. - Hearing before the Roman governor Pilate; Pilate tries to release Jesus but the Judean mob objects and prefers the release of Barabas (John 18:28-40).

Pilate has Jesus beaten.- Pilate's Roman soldiers take Jesus into the court ("Praetorium") and engage in mockery and torture, including a brutal crown of thorns (John 19:1-3) .

Pilate hesitates but the mob still cries out against Jesus (John 19:4-15).

Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon - Pilate hands Jesus over for crucifixion. Weakened by interrogations, sleep deprivation, and beatings, Jesus is forced to carry his own cross to the place of execution; then He is crucified under the charge of being "King of the Jews" (John 19:16-22).

The soldiers cast lots for His garments (John 19:23-24).

Friday 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. - Jesus continues to suffer on the cross. His mother, other women followers, and one male disciple (usually identified as John) remain with Him. Jesus commends His mother into the disciple's care (John 19:25-29).

Friday 3:00 p.m. - Death: Jesus says, "It is finished" and expires. The soldiers do not even bother to break His legs, but one pierces His side with a spear (John 19:30-37).

Friday before sunset - Burial: With the Sabbath approaching, Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus make arrangements for a quick but respectful burial in a nearby rock tomb (John 19:38-42)

Maundy Thursday- I Corinthians 11

This Thursday in Holy Week has been called by several names (such as the Thursday before Easter or Holy Thursday), but in the English, the most common name has long been Maundy Thursday, derived from the Latin word mandatum, "command." Although there are several associations for the day, the chief theme is the commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion or the Eucharist. 

The Prayer Book epistle for this day is from I Corinthians 11 and contains St. Paul's version of the words of institution of the Lord's Supper. These simple words are at the heart of Christian worship. Theologians have often discussed these words and disputed their exact meaning.. Although sacramental theology is an important topic, the significance of the Eucharist goes beyond academic discussions. In other words, the place of the Lord's Supper in Christian life has more to do with having faith in Jesus, obeying His words and seeking His grace than with human philosophy.

Some simple affirmations seem clear. First, Jesus Himself began and commanded His disciples to continue this sacred meal. Secondly, He related it to His death that was about to take place for human salvation. Thirdly, this commemoration of His death also points to His grace and living presence among His people through the blessed bread and wine. Fourthly, the Sacrament anticipates that Christ will come again in glory. 

Thus, the Eucharist is not some meaningless ceremony or vague symbolism. It is a concrete affirmation of Christ's living presence in our midst. In this holy Sacrament, Jesus Christ comes to His people, and through bread and wine, He offers us Himself. In this outward way, He keeps offering us His forgiving and strengthening grace.