Sunday, April 2, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Monday, April 3, 2023 — Monday of Holy Week

 

The Daily Lectionary
Monday, April 3, 2023
Monday of Holy Week
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Isaiah 42:1-9
The servant brings forth justice


1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
     my chosen one in whom I delight;
  I will put my Spirit on him,
     and he will bring justice to the nations.

2 He will not shout or cry out,
     or raise his voice in the streets.

3 A bruised reed he will not break,
     and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
  In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

4    he will not falter or be discouraged
  till he establishes justice on earth.
     In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”


5 This is what God the Lord says—
  the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
     who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
     who gives breath to its people,
     and life to those who walk on it:

6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
     I will take hold of your hand.
  I will keep you and will make you
     to be a covenant for the people
     and a light for the Gentiles,

7 to open eyes that are blind,
     to free captives from prison
     and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.


8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
     I will not yield my glory to another
     or my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have taken place,
     and new things I declare;
  before they spring into being
     I announce them to you.”


A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 36:5-11
Refuge under the shadow of your wings

Dixit injustus

6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,
      your justice like the great deep; *
    you save both man and beast, O LORD.


7 How priceless is your love, O God! *
      your people take refuge under the
    shadow of your wings.


8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; *
    you give them drink from the river of your delights.

9 For with you is the well of life, *
    and in your light we see light.


10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
     and your favor to those who are true of heart.


11 Let not the foot of the proud come near me, *
     nor the hand of the wicked push me aside.


O God, You reveal Yourself to us as the Light of Life. In Your only Son, we receive light and life to live as Your faithful servants. Rejoice in our rejoicing over You and the wonderful revelation of Your love and faithfulness to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 9:11-15
The blood of Christ redeems for eternal life


9:11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

John 12:1-11
Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus


12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Monday, April 3, 2023
Monday of Holy Week
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11

The Morning Prayer for Monday, April 3, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Monday, April 3, 2023


In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
Isaiah 2:2-3a, NIV


Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we have you and the light of your Spirit, which always gives us new determination for the tasks you ask of us. We thank you that we may live not just in the passing moment but also in eternity, looking with joyful hope to the future meant for us and for all humankind. Keep us in your Spirit, and open to us truth after truth. May we be part of that people who carry a light within them, a light which will show them the way through all the struggles and temptations of life; then each one of us will know day by day that you can help us and everyone on earth to a better life through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Monday, April 3, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Monday, April 3, 2023


Hebrews 12:2
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus endured the pain, scorn, sorrow, rejection, and betrayal of the Cross for the joy set before Him. It was enough to keep Him focused and stop Him from answering His accusers. What was this overcoming joy? Us. Jesus looked forward to fulfilling the purpose for which He came, which was to restore our relationship with Himself.

Read all of Hebrews Chapter 12

Listen to Hebrews Chapter 12

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

The Lenten Prayer for Monday, April 3, 2023

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 35 - Monday of Holy Week


God of love, My prayer is simple: Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me. I know only that I cannot have real strength unless I rely on you. I cannot feel protected from my many weaknesses until I turn to you for forgiveness and your unalterable love. Help me to share this strength, protection and love with others. Amen.