by Scott Bailey

As we reflect on the Collects for what is known as the sacred Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday/EasterVigil), I am reminded of something I recently read from Henri Nowen, who is one of my favorite Christian writers. Nowen notes that until Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time on Palm Sunday, his ministry was about his initiatives—teaching, preaching, and healing the sick... However, from the point of his arrest and moving through his crucifixion, Jesus “becomes the one to whom things are being done.” The word often translated “betray” actually means “to hand over.”

With Judas’s betrayal, Jesus is handed over to the Jewish authorities. From there this pattern of Jesus being the recipient of cruel and unjust treatment continues to spiral. Those who seized Jesus take him to the high priest. Peter denies Jesus. Jesus is brought before Pilate and interrogated by him. Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified. The soldiers spit on Jesus, strike him, mock him, and thrust a crown of thorns down upon his brow. Jesus is scourged... and then they crucify him. Jesus has become the recipient of other people’s cruel actions, and he willingly submits to this all being done to him because he is walking in perfect obedience to God the Father.

The Collect for Good Friday reminds us that we are the family “for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross.” As we meditate on these profound truths, may we be reminded that those who did these things to our Lord really are representative of you and me, and all of humanity. It is our sinfulness which made all of this necessary.

I love the words of the hymn “Ah, Holy Jesus” which we sing during Holy Week. Yet, I love this hymn in a sorrowful way and find that I can rarely get through singing it without crying. Verse two in particular reminds me of the truth that what was done to Jesus was done by me—“Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee. Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee: I crucified thee.”

Conversely, in His great grace, there is nothing we can do of our own striving to begin to set things aright. Rather, with hearts filled with thanksgiving, may we receive the reconciliation and victory which Christ alone has earned for us and then walk in willing obedience to the Father’s will as we follow the example of our Lord.

The Rev. Scott Bailey is Rector at All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, VA.

Maundy Thursday

Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Saturday 

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Good Friday

Almighty God, we beseech you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the Cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.