Wednesday of Holy Week - Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely

HEBREWS 12:1-3

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.³Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

• Light a candle to remember Christ's presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close  attention to the deep breath.
• As you breath, begin to recall the great cloud of witnesses surrounding you.
• Who comes to mind?
• What race did they run?
• What perseverance was given to them?
• How was Christ glorified in their race?
• Allow yourself to be held by the great cloud of witnesses.
• Feel the warmth of their breath and the gentle strength of their hands.
• Consider the race that God has set before you.
• What strength do you need to persevere?
• What weight do you need to be lifted from you?
• What sin do you need to be set away from you?
• Draw strength from the witnesses holding you.  Draw strength from Christ.
• Where do you notice this new strength in your body?
• Remember the path to this strength so you may draw upon it when you are in need of strength for perseverance.
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer, for the great cloud of witnesses and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

ISAIAH 50:4-9A⁴   The Lord GOD has given methe tongue of a teacher,that I may know how to sustainthe weary with a word.Morning by morning he wakens —wakens my earto listen as those who are taught.⁵   The Lord GOD has opened my ear,and I was not rebellious,I did not turn backward.⁶   I gave my back to those who struck me,and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;I did not hide my facefrom insult and spitting.⁷   The Lord GOD helps me;therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like flint,and I know that I shall not be put to shame;⁸        he who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me?Let us stand up together.Who are my adversaries?Let them confront me.^9a  It is the Lord GOD who helps me;who will declare me guilty?PSALM 70:1-5¹   Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.O LORD, make haste to help me!²   Let those be put to shame and confusionwho seek my life.Let those be turned back and brought to dishonorwho desire to hurt me.³   Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!”turn back because of their shame.⁴   Let all who seek yourejoice and be glad in you.Let those who love your salvationsay evermore, “God is great!”⁵   But I am poor and needy;hasten to me, O God!You are my help and my deliverer;O LORD, do not delay!

GOSPEL JOHN 13:21-32

²¹After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” ²²The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. ²³One of his disciples — the one whom Jesus loved — was reclining next to him; ²⁴Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. ²⁵So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” ²⁸Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.²⁹Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.³¹When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³² If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.”

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Wednesday, April 4, 2012, the Wednesday of Holy Week Year BIsaiah 50:4-9aPsalm70:1-5Hebrews 12:1-3John 13:21-32If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD