Holy Week Readings 2021

March 27, 2021, By: Jimmy Scruggs

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS WEEK:

  • Make sure you have a copy of the Again & Again Devotional. If you’d like a digital copy, click here and we’ll send you the link.
  • For daily texts with the Focus Word, Starter Prayer and link to this post, text the word “lent” to 970-500-0970.
  • Join Ryan on Facebook Live, every weekday morning at 10am for spiritual conversation on these themes.
  • Join the Orange Dots of Hope Facebook Group for spiritual conversations.
  • As the week unfolds, what word or phrase captures your attention? Weave your word into the prayer wall at the Taft Avenue facility; or text your word to 970-500-0970, and the prayer team will weave it into the wall for you.
  • Make your plans to participate in the Good Friday Experience at Crossroads, in-person, online or on demand. We will reflect upon the hidden wisdom and true power of Christ’s Love. 
  • Make your plans to celebrate Easter with Crossroads, in-person, online or on demand. 

HOLY MONDAY

Starter Prayer: Great teacher, you rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It was a peaceful protest, but it was risky. You had to have known that this would end in violence, for who could stand against the state and survive? I imagine your bravery, and pray: Grant me a portion of that courage. I want to love the world as fiercely as you. Amen.

Focus Word: Hosanna

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 37-38 of the devotional. 
  • Read John 12:1-19 and think about these questions:
    • Imagine yourself at the parade. Would you sing Hosanna? Would you be afraid? 
    • Picture the sights, the smells, the crowd. For a moment, put yourself there.

HOLY TUESDAY

Starter Prayer: Gracious God, there is much that I wish for. I wish for longer Sabbath days, for starry nights, for peace in my bones, for love in this city. However, above all else, I wish to see you. I wish for a closer relationship with you, O God. So scoop me up. Hear this wish. Hear this prayer. For I am like the Greeks who said, “We wish to see Jesus.” Amen.

Focus Word: Wish

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 39-40 of the devotional.
  • Read John 12:20-21 and think about these questions: 
    • What wishes do you have—for your faith, for your relationship with God, for your relationship with yourself?

HOLY WEDNESDAY

Starter Prayer: God of peace, we are all a little bit anxious. Our world moves so fast. How could we not be? I know anxiety is not what you wish for us, because you have always wanted whole, full, peaceful lives for your people. So today I ask for your deep breaths and a calm spirit. Relieve my anxiety. Center me. Help me slow down in a fast-paced world. Amen.

Focus Word: Center

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 41-42 of the devotional. 
  • Read Philippians 4:4-9 and think about these questions:
    • When have you experienced anxiety in your life?
    • What did it feel like? 
    • What steps do you take to center yourself? 
    • Where is God in that?

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Starter Prayer: God of light, if I am walking, I want to walk toward the dawn. I want to walk into the sun. I want to walk closer to you. There are many long shadows that can distract and deter. Help guide my feet. Be my light. Gratefully I pray. Amen. 

Focus Word: Light

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 43-44 of the devotional.
  • Read John 12:34-36 and think about these questions: 
    • Who or what serves as a nightlight in your life—helping you see where you are, helping to guide your path?

GOOD FRIDAY

Starter Prayer: God of grace, in the aftermath of violence, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried your son. They tended to the body, because even after death, your incarnate life mattered. Help me to tend to the difficult tasks that honor you. Amen.

Focus Word: Tend

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 45-46 of the devotional.
  • Read John 19:38-42 and think about this question:
    • When have you witnessed someone tending to a difficult task?
  • Make your plans to participate in the Good Friday Experience at Crossroads, in-person, online or on demand. We will reflect upon the hidden wisdom and true power of Christ’s Love. 

HOLY SATURDAY

Starter Prayer: Holy God, Peter denied. I understand why. Being a Christian in this world is not easy. People have assumptions about what I believe, who I am, who I include. I find myself tempted to defend my beliefs, or to downplay how much I long for you. Forgive me, for I am like Peter. I have been ashamed to tell this story. Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. Amen.

Focus Word: Deny

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 47-48 of the devotional. 
  • Read John 13:36-38 and think about these questions:
    • When have you been in denial? 
    • When have you denied others? 
    • When have you denied God?

EASTER SUNDAY

Starter Prayer: Holy God, you are right in front of me. So often we are face to face, and yet so often I miss it! I want to recognize you, but more than that, I want to walk with you. I want to eat with you. I want to rejoice with you. You are on the loose—out in the world. Thanks be to God. I will keep my eyes open. Amen.

Focus Word: Recognize

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read and reflect on pages 49-52 of the devotional. 
  • Read Luke 24:13-35 and think about this question:
    • Where have you seen God this week?
  • Make your plans to celebrate Easter with Crossroads, in-person, online or on demand. 

This is part of Again & Again: Journey of Lent 2021 with Crossroads Church. The theme, devotional booklet, poetry and art is the work of the creative community of theologians and artists at A Sanctified Art. Crossroads is grateful for this resource!

    •