THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION:
PALM SUNDAY April 10, 2022
THE SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST 980 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 617.876.3037 www.SSJE.org
H OLY W EEK AT THE M ONASTERY : The Sunday of the Passion ⬧ Palm Sunday April 10, 2022
The Liturgy of the Palms Prelude
Valet will ich dir geben
Opening Anthem (sung by the Schola)
Georg Friedrich Kauffmann Hosanna to the Son of David Hosanna filio David
Collect Presider Let us pray. Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People Amen. The Holy Gospel Luke 19:28–40 After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out." 2
The Blessing over the Branches Presider The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give God thanks and praise. The Presider continues with the Blessing and at the conclusion, all sing, Amen.
As the branches are distributed, the Schola sings Psalm 118. The congregation is invited to join in the refrain:
The Procession
Procession Hymn
All glory, laud, and honor
Next page
Collect of the Day Presider The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray. Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. People Amen. 3
Entrance Hymn
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All glory, laud, and honor
Hymnal 154
The Holy Eucharist The Word of God First Reading The Lord God has given me
Isaiah 50:4–9a
the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
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Gradual Psalm
Psalm 31:9–16
Second Reading Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5–11
who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Anthem (sung by the Schola)
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Christ became obedient, Christus factus est
The Passion according to Luke: the People Luke 22:14–23:56 The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted. All are seated for the first part of the Passion. When the following “cue” words are read, the congregation is asked to participate as the People: Jesus Narrator People
“When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, ‘No, not a thing.’…
Jesus Narrator People
…and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’… *********
Narrator People
…When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’… *********
Narrator People
…Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’…
Narrator People
…and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’...
Jesus Narrator People
…the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’
Narrator Jesus Narrator People
He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’
Narrator
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, 7
People
‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’
Narrator Jesus Narrator
Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’...
People
********* Pilate People Narrator
People
…Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’… *********
All stand at the text, “When they came to the place that is called the Skull...” ********* Narrator People
Narrator People
…And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’… *********
All kneel at the text, “…Having said this, he breathed his last.” 8
The Sermon The Prayers of the People
The Peace Offertory Hymn
We greet one another, sharing the peace of Christ. The royal banner forward go
Hymnal 162
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The Holy Communion The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus
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Missa Cantabrigia [Glenn]
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymnal S 148, alt.
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Fraction Anthem
Missa Cantabrigia [Glenn]
Collect of Longing Presider Loving Father, we who are physically distant now, groan inwardly as we await the day when we are restored to the company of our neighbors and brought to the fullness of your presence in the Eucharistic feast. Comfort us in our longing to be near each other, assure us of your indwelling presence, and hasten the day when we will abide with you and all our beloved siblings in that kingdom where there is neither sorrow nor crying but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. People Amen. Invitation Presider
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The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Post Communion Hymn
When I survey the wondrous cross
Hymnal 474
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Post Communion Prayer Presider People
God our help and strength, you satisfy our hunger with this eucharistic food. Strengthen our faith, that through the death and resurrection of your Son, we may be led to salvation, for he is Lord now and for ever. Amen.
Holy Week Prayer Deacon Bow down before the Lord. Presider Almighty God, we pray 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 lives and reigns for ever and ever. People Amen. Dismissal Postlude
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Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Johann Sebastian Bach
The Passion Narratives and Anti-Semitism It is now widely recognized that proclamation and preaching of the gospel accounts of Jesus’s passion were an important element in the centuries of anti-Semitism in Christian Europe that culminated in the Holocaust.1 A present area for concern is the portrayal of Judaism and the Jewish people in Christian liturgical use. The term “the Jews” is anachronistic when used to describe the Israelite people and religion at the time of Jesus. “The Jews” is also a mistranslation of the Greek “oi Ioudaioi,” which is more accurately rendered “the Judeans.”2 (Note that Luke’s passion only uses the term in the phrase “…the king of the Jews.”) Luke’s gospel portrays Jesus’s death as brought about through the collusion of elements in the Judean religious authority contemptuous of a Galilean “messiah”, and of the Roman occupation administration’s leadership. Luke does not place responsibility for Jesus’ execution on the entire “Jewish” people of the time nor on their descendants. 1 2
Philip S. Kaufman, The Beloved Disciple: Witness Against Anti-Semitism, Liturgical Press, 1991 Paul Liben, Mistranslation and the Holocaust, The Jerusalem Post, 27 April 2014
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Announcements Welcome! We are delighted to welcome you to the Monastery today. If you are a visitor, or new to the Monastery or Community, please take a moment to introduce yourself to one of the Brothers following the Eucharist.
Some changes in our usual Holy Week practices Holy Week at the Monastery is a time when our bodies, as well as our senses, are fully engaged in our worship. This year only, we have made a number of modifications to our Holy Week rites. As a way to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, we are inviting you to join the Brothers in heart and mind rather than in body as we process, wash feet, and venerate. It is our expectation to restore full congregational participation to the rites of Holy Week next year. We appreciate your understanding.
Palm Sunday/ The Sunday of the Passion This morning as a way to keep every comfortable and safe, we ask that you keep your masks on throughout the Liturgy. This morning the palms will be blessed at a table near the St. John’s Altar. Following the distribution of the palms, only the sacred ministers will process. Please join the procession in heart and mind. The liturgy continues with the Passion Gospel.
Evening Prayer of Palm Sunday/ The Sunday of the Passion at 4:00 p.m. The Brothers will sing Evening Prayer on Palm Sunday/ The Sunday of the Passion. This service will be livestreamed.
Holy Eucharist on the Tuesday in Holy Week at 5:30 p.m. The Brothers will celebrate the Eucharist as normal on Holy Tuesday. This service will be livestreamed.
Wednesday Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae (from the Latin for shadows or darkness) is a beautiful and sustained monastic reflection on Jesus’ suffering and death. Psalms, canticles, and lessons from Lamentations and Jeremiah, are chanted. Candles are gradually extinguished in a Chapel that becomes silent. It is customary to depart from this service in silence.
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Maundy Thursday Liturgy at 7:30 p.m. “Maundy” (from the Latin for mandate) refers to Jesus’ new commandment that we love one another as he has loved us. This is symbolized by foot washing and the institution of The Holy Eucharist. As a way to keep members of the congregation comfortable and safe, the foot washing will be done by the Community only. At the end of the liturgy, the Community will process with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose in the St. John’s Chapel. You are invited to remain in your place. After the community has departed from the St. John’s Chapel, you are welcome to remain behind and pray for a brief time. This year, the All-Night Watch before the Sacrament will be livestreamed. You are invited to keep watch with us on-line.
Good Friday Liturgy at 7:30 p.m. The liturgy begins with the solemn entrance of the sacred ministers, the Singing of the Passion, Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. Following the Veneration of the Cross by the Brothers, the Cross will be processed through the Chapel to give members of the congregation a chance to venerate by a solemn bow or reaching out to tough it. An offering will taken to support Christian ministry in the Holy Land.
The Proper Liturgy of Holy Saturday at 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 on Holy Saturday, the Brothers sing The Proper Liturgy of Holy Saturday in place of the Midday Office. Following the shape of the Eucharist until the sermon, this liturgy contains the hauntingly beautiful anthem, In the Midst of Life We are in Death. This service, which lasts about 20 minutes, will be both in-person and livestreamed.
Evening Prayer of Holy Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Brothers will sing Evening Prayer on Holy Saturday. This service will be livestreamed.
The Great Vigil of Easter at 4:30 a.m. As a way to minimize the need to move the congregation through narrow doorways, the New Fire will be kindled at the back of the Chapel. Please remain in your seats and wait for the Light to be passed to you.
Easter Day There will be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. on Easter Day. Evening Prayer will be livestreamed at 4:00 p.m.
Ring Your Bells! You are invited to bring a bell with you to the Great Vigil of Easter and the Easter Day Eucharist to join us as we ring bells to announce the Resurrection
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Live-streamed Services In addition to in-person worship during Holy Week, all the major liturgies will be live-streamed. We invite you to join us in-person or online. After Evening Prayer on Easter Day, the next livestreamed service will be First Evensong of the Second Sunday after Easter on Saturday, 23 April at 6:00 PM
St. John’s Day We will be celebrating our annual patronal festival, The Feast of St. John, the Beloved Disciple, on Saturday, 7 May at 11:00 AM. Our Guest Preacher that day will be The Reverend Jennifer Strawbridge. Jenn is an Associate Professor of New Testament Studies and the G.B. Caird Fellow In Theology at Mansfield College in the University of Oxford. She is a longtime friend of the Society and member of the Fellowship of Saint John. During the Eucharist we will be receiving new members into the Fellowship. Following the service there will be our annual garden party and luncheon. All are welcome. No need to RSVP. Please invite someone who doesn’t yet know the monastery to join you.
SSJE and the Holy Week Rites It is hard to believe that some of the Holy Week rites are almost entirely new to many Episcopalians, having been first introduced with the advent of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The same cannot be said for SSJE. SSJE has been instrumental in the introduction of these rites to the Anglican Communion through St. John’s Bowdoin Street, and later the Monastery, as well as other parishes served by the Brothers over the years. Palms were first used at Bowdoin Street as early as 1906. That same year a Maundy Thursday Eucharist was celebrated in the morning, and a watch was kept through the day and overnight until Good Friday. Later that evening a foot washing service took place during Evening Prayer. Communion from the Reserved Sacrament on Good Friday (known as the Mass of the Presanctified) took place in 1906 (although until the 1960 only the priest received Holy Communion). Ashes were first used on Ash Wednesday in 1908. (Although there is a story of someone finding Fr. Benson burning his palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday in the 1890’s, indicating that both palms and ashes were used well before 1906/ 1908.) The Lighting of the New Fire, Blessing of the Paschal Candle and First Mass of Easter began in 1909 (on Holy Saturday at 10:00 AM!). It was not until 1920 that the full Easter Vigil with the Prophecies and Renewal of Baptismal Vows took place. Tenebrae was first sung in 1917, and the Reproaches had been in use since at least 1906. One year Fr. Field SSJE was so unhappy with how the Reproaches had been sung, he wrote in the service register that next year the Reproaches MUST be sung faster, or something else MUST BE USED! For more information about the Society, please check our website at www.SSJE.org.
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Br. Luke Ditewig, Presider & Preacher Br. Todd Blackham, Deacon Br. Michael Hardgrove, Subdeacon Br. David Vryhof, Icon-Bearer Ms. Sharon Christner, Crucifer Br. Nicholas Bartoli, Thurifer Mr. James Woodman, Monastery Organist