Holy Week, Year One
[Go to Mission St Clare for an online version of the Daily Office including today’s scripture readings.]
Today’s Readings for the Daily Office:
Psalms 55 (morning) // 74 (evening)
Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-17
Philippians 4:1-13
John 12:27-36
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus talks himself into staying present during the most difficult hour of his life. His soul is troubled, and he’s tempted to pray, “Father, save me from this hour.” But instead, he declares, “No, it is for this reason that I have come into this hour.” Instead of gritting his teeth to endure this hour, or crying out escape this hour, Jesus is determined to find his purpose and God’s glory in this hour.
No doubt we are facing one form or another of discomfort, weariness, pressure, boredom, dread or suffering at this very hour. We could grin and bear it until the hour is over, or we could distract ourselves from this hour until sixty minutes pass us by. We do have to make it through our day somehow!
But perhaps, at some point today, we could use our prayers to summon ourselves to the hour at hand. We could ask to fulfill the purpose of that hour, and we could ask for that hour to reveal God’s glory.
Can we change our prayer today the way that Jesus does in today’s gospel? His prayer could so easily be, “Father, save me from this hour.” But instead, he prays, “Father, glorify your name.” Choose an hour, pray this prayer, and watch what unfolds.
Lora Walsh blogs about taking risks and seeking grace at A Daily Scandal. She serves as curate of Grace Episcopal Church in Siloam Springs and as director of the Ark Fellows, an Episcopal Service Corps program sponsored by St. Paul’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas.