Albrecht Dürer
The 6th Lenten Service is coming up. We´re following the propers of the local lectionary. The Introit starts us off with the 6th penitential Psalm:
From the deep water I cry out to you, O Lord.
Psalm 130
O Lord, listen to me.
Pay attention to my plea for mercy.
If you, O Lord, were to keep track of sins, O Lord, who could stand before you?
But you are willing to forgive, so that you might be honored.
I rely on the Lord.
I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring word.
I yearn for the Lord, more than watchmen do for the morning,
yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord, for the Lord exhibits loyal love,
and is more than willing to deliver.
He will deliver Israel from all their sins.
From the great prophet we learn more about God´s suffering servant and his vicarious mission – for us and our salvation:
The Sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman,
Isaiah 50:4-10
so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back. I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting. But the Sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame. The one who vindicates me is close by. Who dares to argue with me? Let us confront each other! Who is my accuser? Let him challenge me! Look, the Sovereign Lord helps me. Who dares to condemn me?
Look, all of them will wear out like clothes; a moth will eat away at them. Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys his servant?
Whoever walks in deep darkness, without light, should trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
In the end He can conclude:
It is completed!
John 19:30
We listen to our good Lord standing before Herod and Pontius Pilate in the account of the holy Evangelist St. Luke chapter 23:1-25 and bow our heads in veneration praying with the church to Him – that suffered and died for us and our salvation:
1 O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown!
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.2 What thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain.
Mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
’Tis I deserve thy place.
Look on me with thy favor,
and grant to me thy grace.3 What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this, thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever,
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.4 Be near when I am dying,
Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153) translated by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)
oh, show thy cross to me,
and for my rescue, flying,
come, Lord, and set me free!
These eyes, new faith receiving,
from Jesus shall not move,
for one who dies believing
dies safely, through thy love.