Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Luke 22:39-23:56   An Introduction to the Passion according to Luke   I am very sorry to tell you that the story you are about hear does not have a happy ending.   Not yet.   I don’t fault you if you expected better.   The Gospel story you heard just minutes ago, outside, in the garden, set, I suppose, unrealistic expectations.   You will soon hear the rest of that story.   And I feel I should warn you: it does take a shocking and horrific turn.   It all takes place on what feels like an impossibly small timeline. The entire story, beginning with the colt ride through Jerusalem, ending with the mysteriously vacant tomb, takes place over the course of just one week. The time between Jesus’ celebrated entry into the Holy City and his arrest is just a few days. And the arrest, trial, sentencing, and crucifixion: well, they all take place in just a matter of hours, before the earth can even make one complete ...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson John 13 Love until it hurts This night is defined by ritual action, by those things we do.   We do things during this liturgy that happen only once in the entire Church year.   Foot-washing is reserved for Maundy Thursday.   The stripping of the altar is reserved for Maundy Thursday.   The exit of the Reserved Sacrament to its temporary home on the Altar of Repose in the Chapel of the Consoling Christ is reserved for Maundy Thursday. And then there is the Institution of the Lord's Supper, which we remember on this night as well.   And so placed amid all of these unique liturgical events is the one we practice most of all: the Holy Eucharist.   At least weekly, sometimes, like this week, with even greater frequency, we gather together and we remember the night in which Jesus instituted this Sacrament.   And as a community of Christians, we eat his body and drink his blood – week after week after week. ...