Family Prayer - April 8, 2020 Wednesday of Holy Week = Spy Wednesday
How many of us heard or knew about Wednesday of the Holy week is called Spy Wednesday, or Good Wednesday?
It is the Wednesday of Holy Week, the week before Easter. On Spy Wednesday, Christians remember that Jesus was betrayed by Judas, a clandestine spy among the disciples. Many churches belonging to various Christian denominations observe this day in a special way according to their culture. The burning of Judas is an Easter-time ritual originated in European Christian communities, where an effigy of Judas Iscariot is burned. Though not an official part of the Easter liturgical cycle, the custom is typically a part of the reenactment of the story of the Passion that is practiced by the faithful during Easter. Customs vary, but the effigy of Judas is typically hanged (reenacting Matthew 27:5).
In the New Testament account of Holy Week, after Palm Sunday, the Sanhedrin gathered and plotted to kill Jesus before the feast of Pesach. In reference to Judas Iscariot's intent to betray Jesus, formed on Holy Wednesday, the day is called "Spy Wednesday".
Traditionally this day was called "Spy Wednesday" because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over. For this he was paid 30 pieces of silver. It's a reference to Judas's action in Matthew 26: 14-16, "Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, and said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him."
Examine our conscience: For the times I have conspired or betrayed our Truth, Words and Actions???
Let us Pray:
Almighty God and Father, in your plan of salvation your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy. You cut down the unfruitful branch for burning and prune the fertile to make it bear more fruit. Make us grow like laden olive trees in your domain, firmly rooted in the power and mercy of your Son, so that you may gather from us fruit worthy of eternal life. Through your Son you taught us, Father, not to be fearful of tomorrow but to commit our lives to your care. Do not withhold your Spirit from us but help us find a life of peace after these days of trouble. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
NB: [Please and if you can read together as a family today's Gospel passage about Judas from Mathew 26:14-26]. Tomorrow we are entering into Easter Triduum Rituals and ceremonies. Let us spiritually and virtually prepare for those celebrations that will recreate God’s Grace in the world. Amen.
Have a Very Blessed Holy Week,
Fr. Sathi Antony
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnthebaptistparishestevan
Email: stjohnthebaptist@sasktel.net
Family Prayer - April 7, 2020 Tuesday of Holy Week
Family Prayer for April 7, 2020 - Tuesday of Holy Week
Psalm:
“Trust in the LORD and do good; live in the land and be safe. Seek your happiness in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desire.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
Let us Pray:
Lord God, hope of all the earth, hear the humble prayer of your children as we sing your praises. Pour out your Spirit on us so that our lives may bear fruit abundantly. Father, may we receive your forgiveness and mercy as we observe the passion and death of the Lord, the sacrifice You suffered once for all. Pardon our offense and restore us to Your lasting Promise. O Lord, the beginning and end of our faith, You endured the cross, heedless of the shame, for the sake of the joy that would follow it. Bless us and the world in this time of uncertainty that healed by You, Your creation may Praise Your amazing unconditional Love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bow your heads for God’s blessing:
Almighty Father, source of everlasting light, send forth your truth into our hearts and pour over us the brightness of your light. Lord, strengthen us to love You more than ever, hold fast to You and You will prolong our life in this land of the living with good health and healing. Fill us generously with your gifts. Teach us to put our trust in the Father and to seek his kingdom as He taught, let thy kingdom come here on earth now and forever. Amen.
“The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. He loved us so much that, sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can he fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for he is the source of righteousness? How can he, whose promises are true, fail to reward the saints when he bore the punishment of sinners, though without sin himself? Brothers and sisters, let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.” (St. Augustine).
Have A Very Blessed Holy Week.
Fr. Sathi Antony
Family Prayer - April 6, 2020
Family Prayer for the Monday of Holy Week - April 6, 2020
Psalm:
May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble;
may the God of Jacob make you secure.
May he send you help from his temple;
from Zion may he give you support.
May he take notice of all your offerings;
may he accept your burnt sacrifice.
May he grant your heart’s desire;
may he bring all your plans to pass.
Then we will shout for joy over your victory;
we will rejoice in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests. (Psalm:20)
Let us pray:
All-powerful God, by the suffering and death of your Son,
strengthen and protect us in our weakness. Visit your people, O Lord, with ever watchful Love. Look upon us and the world, so that under Your Unfailing Protection we may be kept safe in Your Healing Mercy.
Bow your heads for God’s Blessing:
God our Father, Creator of all the universe, when your strength takes possession of us we no longer say: Why are you cast down, my soul? So now stretch out Your Blessing Hand that the surging waves of your indignation will pass over us, let us feel the healing calm of your forgiveness. Inspire us to yearn for you always, like the deer for running streams, until you satisfy every longing in heaven. God of kindness and truth, you saved your Chosen One, Jesus Christ, and you gave your martyrs strength. Watch over your people who come to you and strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you, that they may proclaim your saving acts of kindness in Your Holy Temple. Amen.
“God has brought us to the kingdom of His Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the Forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14).
NB: Thanks for your prayers and support. A humble reminder is that you pray as a family, share by participating, may be one of your other family members or your children pray the Psalm (use the Bible to read the full Psalm mentioned or a scripture passage of your choice; let us enlighten our families with God’s Light!)
Have A Very Blessed Holy Week.
Fr. Sathi Antony.