Each day read the Gospel passage
for the day and the Psalm passage for the day (you can read them all at once or
do one reading in the morning and one in the evening) and use the reflection
questions to help process the passage.
The 38th day of Lent
Thursday March 24th,
2016
Gospel Reading
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days
away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some
sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2“But not during the
Festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
3While he was in Bethany
4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this
waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year’s
wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
6“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has
done a beautiful thing to me. 7The
poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.
But you will not always have me. 8She
did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my
burial. 9Truly I tell you, wherever
the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be
told, in memory of her.”
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray
Jesus to them. 11They were delighted to hear this and promised to
give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
The Last Supper
12On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary
to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want
us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
13So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go
into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.
14Say to the owner of the house he enters,
‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?’ 15He will show you a
large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had
told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they
were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I
tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?”
20“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips
bread into the bowl with me. 21The
Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who
betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take
it; this is my body.”
23Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and
they all drank from it.
24“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many,” he said to them. 25“Truly I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the
vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount
of Olives .
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it
is written:
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee .”
29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the
rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
31But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will
never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
32They went to a place called Gethsemane ,
and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I
pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he
began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”
he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible
the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything
is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you
will.”
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are
you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The
spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came
back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not
know what to say to him.
41Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you
still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is
delivered into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
43Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a
crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of
the law, and the elders.
44Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the
man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45Going at once to
Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46The men seized Jesus
and arrested him. 47Then one of those standing near drew his sword
and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you
have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and
you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50Then
everyone deserted him and fled.
51A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When
they seized him, 52he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
53They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders
and the teachers of the law came together. 54Peter followed him at a
distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the
guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against
Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56Many
testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58“We
heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three
days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59Yet even
then their testimony did not agree.
60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going
to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61But
Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the
Blessed One?”
62“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of
heaven.”
63The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he
asked. 64“You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65Then some began to
spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said,
“Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Peter Disowns Jesus
66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high
priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked
closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”
he said, and went out into the entryway.
69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing
around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are
one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man
you’re talking about.”
72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the
word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows
twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
The Holy Bible : Today's New International Version.
2005. Grand Rapids , MI
Psalm Reading
Of David.
1Contend, Lord,
with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
10My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong
for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob
them.”
11Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing
about.
12They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my
knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without
reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the
land.
21They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his
servant.”
28My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.