Why? Because God particularly values the man and the world He created. They are the work of His hand, the result of His toiling. For when He created the world, He spoke and said, « Let there be light, » and there was light (Gen 1:3). In this regard, the apostle John declared: « In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people » Jn 1:1-4. For the Word is life (Jn 6:63c). As for us human beings, He granted us the highest status as He said: « Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image » Gen 1:26-27a-b. He did all this out of His love, taking great care, because this work is intended to display His glory. In fact, it is written: « God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good » Gen 1:31a. Therefore, the psalmist praises the works of God in these terms: « O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures » Ps 104:24. Then, as God did not want to annihilate the work of His hands, He sent His Son Jesus to redeem it. In fact, it is written: « For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life » Jn 3:16. To this end, He gave His life as a sacrifice of atonement for God, for the sake of us who have fallen and are bound by sin, and for the whole world that lies in the power of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19b). For it is written: « He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world » 1 Jn 2:2.
Monday, 29th : The Redeemer is coming.
« Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! […] Look your king comes to you » Zeph 9:9a.
Reading 1: Jn 12:1-16. Reading 2: Zeph 9:9-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Zeph 9:9.
Introduction: God fulfills a great promise of hope for His people, their redemption. For it is written: « Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them » Lk 1:68. Those who received His redemption will be able to raise their voice like the psalmist, who sang: « Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord the King of Israel! » Jn 12:13.
Tuesday, 30th : Christ is keen to redeem the sinners.
« For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners » Mt 9:13b.
Reading 1: Rom 3:23-26. Reading 2: Mt 9:9-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 9:13.
Introduction: The love of God is great and uncommensurable, in that He willingly forgives sinners their transgressions so that they would not perish. For « love covers all offenses » Pr 10:12. « He will abundantly pardon » Isa 55:7b all who return to Him,
Maundy Wednesday, 31th: Christ calls sinners to receive redemption.
« And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself » Jn 12:32.
Reading 1: 1 Pet 3:18-22. Reading 2: Jn 12:20-33. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 12:32.
Introduction: Sinners are not able to redeem themselves ; therefore, Jesus came, « the righteous for the unrighteous » 1 Pet 3:18b. And He speaks in these terms to anyone who come to Him: « Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven » Mt 9:2.
Holy Thursday, 01st: Let yourself be purified by Christ
« Unless I wash you, you have no share with me » Jn 13:8b.
Reading 1: Ex 12:3-14. Reading 2: Jn 13:1-15. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 13:8.
Introduction: Jesus showed a great sign of love as He washed His disciples’ feet. Indeed, these were the firstfruits of His purification of the sinner, which is the very essence of the work of redemption through His blood according to His words, « for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins » Mt 26:28.
Good Friday, 02nd: The sufferings of Christ, redemption for us.
« After flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified » Mt 27:26b .
Reading 1: Isa 50:6-9. Reading 2: Mt 27:24-31. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 27:26.
Introduction : Christ’s endurance of the unjust suffering that was inflicted on Him is only conceivable on account of the prayer He pronounced : « My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want » Mt 26:39. For He says: « Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise » Jn 5:19b.
Saturday, 03rd : Silence in the face of Jesus’ suffering for the redemption of sinful man and the world.
Reading: Lk 22:39-62 / Lk 2346: 39.
Here are some words of Jesus to be meditated on in prayer:
- To His disciples: « Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial » Lk 22:46b.
- To Judas: »Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man? » Lk 22:48.
- To Peter: « Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times » Lk 22:61.
- To the Jews: « Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children » Lk 23:28.
- To the Father: »Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing » Lk 23:34.
- To the thief: »Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise » Lk 23:43.
His last words on the cross: « Father, into your hands I commend my spirit » Lk 23:46.
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