“As Jesus was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” (Luke 19:37-40)

I pray that you had a blessed beginning to Holy Week 2022 with Palm Sunday worship and that you make an intentional decision to enter deeply into the ancient rhythm of the coming Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. Hear the powerful words of absolution and the call to live by a new commandment on Maundy Thursday. Experience the Bidding Prayer and Solemn Reproaches before the cross on Good Friday. Enter into the lighting of a new fire and the powerful Biblical narratives of the Easter Vigil. Only to return on the first day of the week, at early dawn….

Let us pray, Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship pg. 29)