Holy week was a slow crescendo, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. On Sunday, we did the festival palms, but ended with a reading of the passion narrative. My sermon was titled "From Cheers to Jeers." Later that afternoon, we had a special viewing of "The Passion of the Christ." On Maundy Thursday, I preached on "Bread Which Must be Broken" - linking in thoughts about Schiavo, the anger of our country, and the hopelessness that many people feel today. The theme was the New Commandment: Love one another, just as I have loved you.
This year, I decided to opt out of the traditional Tenebrae, and instead used a service loosely based on the idea of Lessons and Carols - except I used the Passion Narrative and hymns. At the end of the Passion Narrative, I used "The Reproaches."
As I read them aloud, I found myself reading slowly, pausing to let the words sink in. The Church was eerily silent. The political overtones were almost overwhelming. We not only heard these words, we also felt them deep within our hearts. It was clear that Christ was speaking to all of us - and to me.
The Reproaches: Christ's Lament Against His Faithless Church
1. O my people, O my Church,
what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you?
I led you forth from the land of Egypt
and delivered you by the waters of baptism,
but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
2. I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna;
I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal
and gave you my body, the bread of heaven;
but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
3. I made you branches of my vineyard,
and gave you the water of salvation,
but when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar and gall,
and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
4. I went before you in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to the judgment hall of Pilate.
I brought you to a land of freedom and prosperity,
but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
5. I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom,
but you have given me a crown of thorns.
I raised you on high with great power,
but you have hanged me on the cross.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
6. My peace I gave, which the world cannot give,
and washed your feet as a servant,
but you draw the sword to strike in my name
and seek high places in my kingdom.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
7. I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes,
but you scatter and deny and abandon me.
I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you,
but you close your hearts to guidance.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
8. I called you to go and bring forth fruit,
but you cast lots for my clothing.
I prayed that you all may be one,
but you continue to quarrel and divide.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
9. I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel,
but you turned on them with persecution and mass murder.
I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants,
but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
10. I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters.
I was hungry but you gave me no food,
thirsty but you gave me no drink.
I was a stranger but you did not welcome me,
naked but you did not clothe me,
sick and in prison but you did not visit me.
R: Lord God, Lamb of God, have mercy upon us.
a brief silence is observed
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Dismissal: May Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you, now and for ever. Amen.
The congregation departs in silence
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