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March 29, 2023

Preparing for the Journey

Karen Oliveto   |   Read Isaiah 50:4-9

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Lectionary Week
March 27–April 2, 2023
Scripture Overview

The Liturgy of the Palms readings prepare us for Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph. The psalmist celebrates the one who comes in the name of the Lord, who is celebrated with palm branches. Matthew then tells the story of Jesus, who enters Jerusalem in this way and is greeted with joy, such that the crowds quote Psalm 118. The Liturgy of the Passion points to the end of that week and the coming suffering of Jesus. Isaiah and the psalmist describe being treated with contempt, beaten, and rejected. In reciting the earliest known Christian hymn, Paul in Philippians emphasizes how Christ surrenders his glory and is subjected to humiliation and death. Matthew recounts the passion of the Messiah, who is rejected as the prophets have foretold.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29. How has God been steadfast in your life? How do you praise God for this continual presence?
Read Matthew 21:1-11. How would you expect a ruler to enter a city? How is Jesus’ entrance the same? How is it different?
Read Isaiah 50:4-9a. What does being a servant of God look like? How does God help you live as a servant?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. Consider the author’s suggestion that Jesus manifests his divinity by being completely obedientto God. How does this change the way you think about the divine image within you?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The LORD God gave me an educated tongue to know how to respond to the weary with a word that will awaken them in the morning. God awakens my ear in the morning to listen, as educated people do. 5 The LORD God opened my ear; I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back. 6 Instead, I gave my body to attackers, and my cheeks to beard pluckers. I didn’t hide my face from insults and spitting. 7 The LORD God will help me; therefore, I haven’t been insulted. Therefore, I set my face like flint, and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed. 8 The one who will declare me innocent is near. Who will argue with me? Let’s stand up together. Who will bring judgment against me? Let him approach me. 9 Look! The LORD God will help me. Who will condemn me? Look, they will wear out like clothing; the moth will eat them.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

In these nonstop days, smartphones not only allow us to work from anywhere but to work anytime/all the time. Many of us fall into bed exhausted, only to rise up weary as we reach for our phones to begin our day before we are even out of bed. Studies show...

Morning by morning, may I awake and set my attention to you, O God, so that I hear the ways I may serve you and your people throughout the day. Amen.


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