Let us sing with all the people as we enter Holy Week:
Glory and honor and praise be to you, Christ, King and Redeemer,
to whom young children cried out loving Hosannas with joy.
Israel’s King are you, King David’s magnificent offspring;
you are the ruler who come blest in the name of the Lord.
Heavenly hosts on high unite in singing your praises;
men and women on earth and all creation join in.
Bearing branches of palm, Hebrews come crowding to greet you;
see how with prayers and hymns we come to pay you our vows.
They offered gifts of praise to you , o near to your Passion;
see how we sing this song now to you reigning on high.
Those you were pleased to accept; now accept our gifts of devotion,
good and merciful King, lover of all that is good.
As we move into Holy Week we hear three of my favorite readings from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: The three Oracles of the Servant of the Lord:
On Monday: The First Oracle: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, or making his voice heard in the street… the coastlands will wait for his teaching.” Is. 42:1, 2, 4c
On Tuesday: The Second Oracle: “Hear me O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made me a sharp-edged sword, a polished arrow… You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory…I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength…I will make you a light to the nations…my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Is. 49:1-6 Selections
On Wednesday: The Third Oracle: “The Lord gave me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. I gave my back to those who beat me, my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. See the Lord is my help, who will prove me wrong. Is. 52:4, 6, 7