The Way of The Cross: Thursday: Abandonment – Family Devotions for Holy Week, 2020
Though we are physically dispersed as we enter this most Holy Week, Saint Matthew’s parish can remain in connection with each other by engaging in daily prayer and contemplation.
I want to offer us a series of daily meditations and hymns that support this blessed connection, and help us walk The Way of The Cross with Christ this week.
We will pray each day on one of three themes that will encompass our Maundy Thursday observance: Servanthood, Community, and Abandonment.
Today we will reflect on Abandonment.
~ Peter+
The Rev. Dr. Peter B. Stube, Interim Rector
Ponder these questions at the end of each day’s reading and hymn.
In light of what I have just heard/read:
1. How can I love God today? (in a small way)
2. How can I love my neighbor today? (person you live with, person who thinks differently than you, etc.)
3. How can I love myself today?
Thursday: Abandonment
Maundy Thursday with all of its hopefulness, ends badly. We might think that Jesus call to Servanthood and Community would be joyfully received; that the disciples were ready to change the world, but this part of Jesus’ vision will not be fulfilled this night.
The disciples have too much that hinders them from following Jesus freely. Judas rushes off to betray Jesus. Why? (To force Jesus hand to stir up a revolution? Greed? What is a human life worth? For Judas, 30 pieces of silver. For Jesus? The cost of his own life for the lives of all.) As Jesus prays at the Mount of Olives the disciples fall asleep until the betrayer and the enemies of Jesus arrive. They wake up startled, they see Jesus in all his power give himself over to the soldiers and then every disciple deserts him. Peter, one of Jesus’ dearest friends, denies Him three times. (Why? Fear? Public Opinion?)
What? Who nails Jesus to the cross? If his own disciples who walked with him for three years and clearly loved him could not stand with Him in His hour of need how can we hope to do any better? We mortals are a complicated lot; given to self-interest, pride, greed, denial of death, jealousy, claiming our rights at the expense of other’s need; the very antithesis of servanthood and community. Who nails Jesus to the Cross? Hear the hymn below and reflect on the text. Where am I in this abandonment? Am I Judas? Peter? Am I the guilty? Do I have any hope? Stay tuned.
Ah, Holy Jesus
Text: Johann Heermann, 1585-1647; trans. by Robert S. Bridges, 1844-1930
Music:Johann Cruger, 1598-1662
1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted!
2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.
3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.
4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.
5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.