Holy Week

In contemporary Western liturgy this Sunday is the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday – it includes the liturgy of the palms.
readings for Liturgy of the Palms
readings for the Passion
textweek for Liturgy of the Palms
textweek for the Passion

I suggest you take no notice of the collect suggested in the NZ Lectionary, it is not the one suggested in the formulary. Nor does contemporary Western liturgy regard last Sunday as Passion Sunday – rather, this Sunday is the Sunday that the full Passion narrative is read. The collect for Roman Catholics and Anglicans is the same.
• collect/opening prayer reflection for Palm/Passion Sunday

Further resources
• Palm Sunday
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday

• Easter Vigil

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Exegesis of this Sunday’s readings
From WaiapuAcademy.org

Introduction to the readings
The context, the frame of the reading about to be heard. This could be used as an introduction, printed on a pew sheet (acknowledged, of course), or adapted in other ways.

Isaiah 50:4-9a

This is the third of the four Servant Songs in Second Isaiah. It describes the Hebrew people, particularly in captivity in Babylon. Whilst appearing disgraced, this is not the ultimate truth when God is on one’s side.

Philippians 2:5-11

There may be two or three letters conflated into this letter to the Philippians. There are divisions within the Philippian Christian community. Today’s hymn originates prior to this letter. The framework is the story of Adam. There is the shocking teaching that shame leads to honour. Philippi was also a Roman colony with much of the letter translating the imperial cult to Jesus. This reading has been read (in Rome) on this Sunday since at least early in the seventh century (Wurzburg Epistolary).

Matthew 26:14-27:66

The passion story was one of the earliest parts of the gospels to develop. In Matthew’s version (as in Mark’s) there is a strong focus on Psalm 22, 69, Isaiah, and other scriptures being fulfilled. Jesus’ only words proclaim the start of Psalm 22. Jesus righteously endures shaming and is honoured by God. This reading has been read (in Rome) on this Sunday since at least early in the seventh century (Wurzburg Evangeliary).

Please add your ideas, resources, prayers, hymn suggestions, comments…

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