Holy Thursday

Holy Saturday

Opening Prayer

Lord

I am confident, yet afraid.

I put my trust in you, my soul rests.

I shall sing your praises all my days.

You have overcome the darkness

          and bring us new life! Alleluia!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 1:1 – 2:2

  • We often think of the creation story as one for children but it is even more for adults.  What did you hear this year which you have not heard before?  Sometimes we know a story so well, we don’t listen as closely.  Listen again for the message God wants you to hear today.
  • Create your own creation scene, draw and color while you meditate on the gifts each day of creation brings and give thanks to the creator!

Genesis 22:1-18

  • On a scale from 1-10, how confident are you to respond, “Here I am, Lord” when God calls you?
  • How do you think God celebrates when you listen and obey his commands?

Exodus 14:15 – 15:1

  • What does this scripture story mean to you?  What does it tell you about God and his relationship with the Israelite’s?
  • How does God use Moses?  Do you believe he can use you in a similar way?  Explain.

Isaiah 54:5-14

  • Does this scripture bring you comfort and confidence or does it leave you concerned and in doubt?  Explain the difference and be specific.  What other words would you use to describe how this scripture makes you feel?
  • What is the ultimate message God’s trying to communicate through this scripture?

Isaiah 55:1-11

  • Share one way God has provided for you in the past week.  Was it something you asked for and received or was it something God did without you even acknowledging it?
  • What keeps you from having 100% confidence in God providing your needs?  Is it because his timing is different than your own or is it something else?

Barach 3:9-15,32 – 4:4

  • Identify where you see God’s splendor.  What do these places/things say to you when you are in their presence?
  • Describe the feelings you get when you listen to or read the words of this scripture.  What do you imagine?  Can you put it into words?

Ezekiel 36:16-17a,18-28

  • Where does the myth that people who follow God do not suffer come from?  Even God’s people in the Old Testament had to suffer loss, devastation and hardships.  How does this make you feel?
  • What is the purpose of God giving us a ‘new heart’, what does this mean?

Romans 6:3-11

  • What images and/or feelings come to mind when you hear the word BAPTISM.
  • How do you plan to continue to live out your baptism?  Does the renewal of baptismal promises give you a boost of energy and purpose, why or why not?

Matthew 28:1-10

  • Are there people in your life whom you cannot celebrate the glory of the resurrection with because of unbelief or difference of beliefs?  How can you still bring the glory of the resurrection to those you love without judgment or shame?
  • How do you anticipate you will react when you see Jesus face to face?  Can you imagine the scenario?  Describe in detail what happens.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  God’s mercy endures forever…

ALL:  Alleluia!

Leader:  What wondrous deeds he has done..

ALL:  Alleluia!

Leader:  Give thanks for he is good…

ALL:  Alleluia!

Leader:  We shall not die, but live forever…

ALL:  Alleluia!

Challenge for the Week:  You think you have had a tough week J , what about Jesus, Mary and the Disciples!  In the Church, Holy Week is one of the most important times of ritual and tradition…all set up back to back to back to back.  Each day, beginning with Holy Thursday has specific elements which need to be present in order to make the celebration meaningful.  Planning for these four days and potentially five, six or seven separate services, begins almost immediately after the Christmas Season comes to an end.  Those who work in the church basically go directly from planning the celebration of Jesus’ birth to getting things prepared for his death.  They do it for many reasons, but mostly because it is a part of their deep belief in God that they want to bring to life for all the faithful (and those who only come for the Easter Sunday service) how powerful and beautiful God’s love for each of us is and can be.  It is sometimes jokingly said that it’s a goal of Easter Sunday services to make it so meaningful that people are inspired to come back the next week and the week after that. 

Good Friday

Opening Prayer (Psalm 31:15-16)

My trust is in you, O Lord;

I say, “You are my God.

In your hands is my destiny; rescue me

from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.”

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

  • Jesus studied this scripture.  How does the knowledge that this scripture was written long before Jesus was born affect your faith?  Be specific.
  • Each line of the scripture can be connected to an action in the Gospel, is it easier to listen to the words spoken or easier to read them in silence?

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

  • How does the tone of this scripture differ from the first reading? Do you think you need to read the first reading to have a fuller understanding of what the second reading is about or would it have the same meaning if it stood alone?
  • What sin do you lay on Jesus?

John 18:1 – 19:42

  • Who else has identified themselves as “I am”?  Where have you heard this before, with whom and what is the connection?
  • Share a time when you were able to relate to Jesus in this scripture.  Be specific about how knowing Jesus suffered with you, helped you through.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  So it may be fulfilled

ALL:  Jesus was betrayed.

Leader:  So it may be fulfilled

ALL:  Jesus was beaten.

Leader:  So it may be fulfilled

ALL:  Jesus was pierced.

Leader:  So it may be fulfilled

ALL:  Jesus died to save us all!

Challenge for the Week:  Death is a known known.  Anything that is born, will also die.  It is inevitable.  Why is death difficult?  Why is it something to be feared?  Are there things you want to achieve before you die?  Jesus said, “It is finished”.  He had completed his task.  Take time today to spend talking to God about what your task is and how you will work to complete it so then at the time of your death, you too can be confident in letting go of this life and embrace the next!

Holy Thursday

Opening Prayer

I will call upon the Lord

          and He shall answer!

I shall give thanks and praise

          for all the Lord has done!

Alleluia!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 12:1-8,11-14

  • Do you hide Christ in your life?  In your conversations?  In your home?  What can you do to reveal him?
  • How do others know you are a Christian?

1Corinthians 11:23-26

  • When you hear these words at prayed during the Eucharistic Celebration of Mass, who do you invite to the table with you?
  • What do the words, “do this in remembrance of me” mean to you?

John 13:1-15

  • Jesus says, “Do you know what I have done for you?”  He isn’t only speaking to the disciples when he says to go and do what he has taught us…identify 2-3 things you will do this Easter Season to follow Jesus’ example.
  • Jesus knows his disciples will scatter in fear, what do you think allows him to stay and celebrate the Passover meal with his friends and wash their feet?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Shown in hospitality;

ALL:  love as I have loved.

Leader:  Shown in compassion;

ALL:  love as I have loved.

Leader:  Shown in sacrifice;

ALL:  love as I have loved.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  you have shown us how to love!

Challenge for the Week:  It is common practice for Jesus to be placed at the altar at the end of Holy Thursday’s Mass for the faithful to stay and participate in what in the Catholic Church is called Adoration.  This time is set aside specifically for us to practice in real time “staying awake” for Jesus while he is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying before he is arrested.  Regular practice is for this to last until Midnight and then Jesus is removed to imitate how he had been taken into custody; no longer at our side.  This Thursday, set aside an hour to be with Jesus.  You choose how you will spend the time, for example, in silence or by praying the Rosary or by lighting candles or writing prayer or drawing a mandala; it is your choice how to spend this specific hour with your Savior. 

Sunday, March 19th Readings

4th Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord

Help me to remember,

        my life will be muddy at times

        and I will not be able to see.

Let me turn to you,

        so you can wash me clean

        and I can live like you live!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

  • Have you ever questioned how God handled something? What can you learn from Samuel’s doubt of God choosing David to be King about your own doubt?
  • David was working in the field when God called upon him; where were you when you first felt God call you?
  • How do you feel anointed by God this Lent?

Eph 5:8-14

  • Saint Paul says to “live as children of light”, how can you do this?
  • Share an example of how being rooted in Christ produces “good fruit”.
  • Share an example of how being disconnected from Christ causes darkness.

Jn 9:1-41

  • The Blind Man is thrown out of the synagogue for defending Jesus, have you ever been thrown out because of your belief? What caused this division? How did you react? Was it resolved?
  • Reflect on how Jesus used clay to cover the blind man’s eyes and heal them. What has Jesus covered with clay or mud in your life that needs transformation?

General Questions for Journaling

Closing Prayer

Leader: May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a newborn baby.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a hungry child.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see flower in bloom.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a woman on welfare.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you watch the sunset.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see me.

Challenge for the Week:  In the Gospel you hear the story of a man born blind.  Take time this week to think about the life of this man.  Prior to meeting Jesus, what do you think a typical day looked like for him?  When he met Jesus, he listened to Jesus and followed what Jesus told him to do.  Then the people in the village saw that the blind man had changed, and the blind man told everyone about Jesus.  He even stood strong in his belief when faced with opposition from the Pharisees who criticized Jesus and doubted the blind man, trying to discredit his character publicly.  After being ridiculed and pushed aside, Jesus came to give comfort.  What lessons can you learn from the blind man?  Is there a particular area in which you have trouble meeting Jesus, listening to Jesus, following Jesus, telling others about Jesus, standing up for Jesus, allowing Jesus to comfort you?  Let the blind man’s story give you strength, guidance and wisdom as you continue your journey through Lent.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Holy Thursday Prayer Guide

Holy Thursday

Opening Prayer

I will call upon the Lord

          and He shall answer!

I shall give thanks and praise

          for all the Lord has done!

                             Alleluia!

Reflection Questions

1st Reading – Exodus 12:1-8,11-14

  • Do you hide Christ in your life? In your conversations? In your home? What can you do to reveal him?
  • How do others know you are a Christian?

2nd Reading – 1Corinthians 11:23-26

  • When you hear these words prayed during the Eucharistic Celebration of Mass, who do you invite to the table with you?
  • What do the words, “do this in remembrance of me” mean to you?

Gospel Reading – John 13:1-15

  • Jesus says, “Do you know what I have done for you?” He isn’t only speaking to the disciples when he says to go and do; He is speaking to you too. Identify 2-3 things you will do this Easter Season to follow Jesus’ example.
  • Jesus knows His disciples will scatter in fear, what do you think allows him to stay and celebrate the Passover meal with His friends and wash their feet?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Shown in hospitality;

ALL:  love as I have loved. 

Leader:  Shown in compassion;

ALL:  love as I have loved. 

Leader:  Shown in sacrifice;

ALL:  love as I have loved.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  you have shown me how to love!

Challenge for Holy Thursday:  It is common practice for Jesus to be placed at the altar at the end of Holy Thursday’s Mass for the faithful to stay and participate in what in the Catholic Church calls Adoration.  This time is set aside specifically on the Thursday before Easter during Holy Week, to practice in real time staying awake for Jesus.  It is an opportunity to join Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane where He went to pray before He was arrested.  The ritual generally lasts until Midnight and then Jesus is removed to imitate how He had been taken into custody. 

Set aside an hour to be with Jesus.  You choose how you will spend the time.  You can sit in silence or pray the Rosary or light candles or write a prayer or draw a mandala; it is your choice how to spend this specific hour with Jesus. 

    GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.