We Need not be Discouraged

You can read the Lectionary readings for Wednesday in Holy Week by Clicking Here 

Each day we draw closer to the Triduum I find myself bursting with anticipation as I know that the great Three Day Liturgy is the richest time of the year for us Christians. beginning tomorrow night with our Maundy Thursday Celebration at 730, to our Good Friday observance at 1030 am, to the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday Evening at 8 pm – those three days take us from the washing of feet to the glory of the empty tomb, from the richness of the Last Supper to the the Light that triumphs over darkness.

On this Holy Wednesday we are reminded of the act of Betrayal by Judas. After tonight’s Gospel reading the stage is set. We now await the instruction that Jesus will give to us. How Jesus will model servanthood. We await Jesus instruction on how we are to commune with one another. We await his modelling the way of non-violence, We await his Resurrection which declares the darkness to be null and void.

The Epistle reading this evening is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.

Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up. Hebrews 12: 1-3 

Now is the time for us as we enter into these sacred days to throw off the extra baggage. Now is the time to fix our eyes on Jesus. Time to watch his every last move….and then imitate what he models. Let us be ready as the great company of Saints that have journeyed before us have been, to enter into these last Lenten days eager to discern how we cam better serve one another, break bread with one another, sacrifice for one another, enter into another’s pain, and ultimately overcome with one another. These days are a reminder that we need not be discouraged!