See a video of this introduction and videos of each devotional at Vimeo.com/msumc

 Hey everyone, welcome to this introductory video for a series of videos that I’ll be putting out during Holy Week.  These are going to be a way of walking through the Passion Narrative. We’ll be looking at the Gospel of John, which is typically read in its fullness on Good Friday from verse 18, chapter 18, verse 1 through the end of chapter 19.

Instead, we’re going to break it up into chunks and we’re going to take a little bit each day, Monday through Friday, and really consider what it has to say to us.  I think it’s a great way to mark this holy occasion when we call ourselves to deeper spiritual discipline.  In each video, I’m going to offer us a way to respond and I’m calling that, Think, Pray, Do. 

So the Think will be a question to ask ourselves for reflection, a way that we are considering ourselves in light of the scripture and the reflection that you’ve heard from me on that scripture.  

The Pray will be a way to pray in response to how we answer the question that is part of our think.  

And then the Do is an action that we can take as a result of the way that we have prayed. 

It’s an ancient way of talking about how to do these things. It’s called lex credendi, lex orandi. The idea is the way that we pray governs what we do.  So, that’s what we’re going to be doing as a way of reflecting. I’m also providing transcripts of these videos on my website, so if you prefer to get these via email, reading them instead of listening or watching the video, then that is also an option for you. I just want to make this as accessible as possible, especially during this period where I am unable to be physically present with you during this Holy Week, but still want to be able to offer some spiritual leadership and a guide through this really important week. 

So on this Palm Sunday, as you’re listening to this, I hope you’ve had a great Palm Sunday. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Easter egg hunt, whether with your children, your grandchildren, or hope the child in you enjoyed it. And then I hope that you’ll come back daily to hear these reflections and walk this journey through the Passion Narrative with me. 

So again, we’re going to walk through John chapter 18 through chapter 19. And then, we’re going to have an opportunity to think about it, to pray about it, and then to do something as a result. I look forward to you joining with me. As always, email me, text me, call me, write comments on the blog posts that accompany these videos; any way that you want to interact with me, with questions they may bring up for you. And if it stirs some need for some pastoral care, I hope that you’ll reach out to me and interact with me in that way. 

Take care.