The Sunday Next Before Easter

This week kicks off what is known as Holy Week or "Passion Week." Different from later Prayer Books and lectionaries, the Reformation-era BCPs did not have a "Palm Sunday." Instead, this Sunday was the "Sunday Next Before Easter," a Sunday entirely dedicated to the Cross. The central emphasis is clear in the lengthy readings of all 75 verses of Matthew 26 and then 54 verses of Matthew 27. The Epistle reading and Second Lesson for Evening Prayer provide the theological reflection on the event, Philippians 2:5-11 and Hebrews 5:1-10. The Old Testament lessons cover the plagues of Exodus, Exodus 9 & 10, drawing the connection between God's cursing and the wrath born by Christ on the cross.