Call to Worship:
Come and worship Christ
although we gather in darkness.
Come and worship Christ
although we mourn and grieve.
Come and worship Christ
although we sometimes despair.
Come and worship Christ,
and praise the Lord.
Reading: John 19:38-42 – The Burial of Jesus
38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Reflection: I Love Them
This in-between day
after all had gone so wrong
before all will go so right,
puts us between the rock
and the hard place:
all hope, love and faith is squeezed from us.
I love them,
I always loved them.
Even now, after three years of being together,
I wonder if they understand how much love matters,
how much I care about them
and all the others who have listened to me,
and who have tried to live in love.
I know what is going to happen to me.
I know what Judas will do.
I know how Peter will behave.
I know that I have to leave them.
I know that I am going back to God.
Tonight I was as clear as I could be;
I washed their feet,
I acted as their servant.
And I told them that if they wanted to be blessed
they needed to be loving servants to each other.
Peter, as always, had a lot to say.
The others talked among themselves.
Judas said nothing.
I told them as clearly as I could to love each other.
I told them with water and a towel.
I told them in my words and I told them in my actions.
I love them.
I have always loved them.
I will love them until their time in this world is ended.
I will love them for ever.
Prayer:
Spend some time in silent prayer, reflecting on the love that Jesus has for you, a love that knows no limits. Immerse yourself in that love.
Blessing:
Love one another;
a simple command.
Love one another;
a costly demand.
Love one another;
an example by which to live.
Love one another;
an ambition into which to grow.
See the affirmation offered and received
and grow in love for one another
loving as Christ loves you.
(Holy Week Reflections are taken from
Spill the Beans Resource)