With the day before Palm Sunday (or Hosanna Sunday, as it is more often called), we shift into the narrative preparation for Easter, with the events that lead to Palm Sunday and also anticipate Easter itself: the raising of Lazarus and its aftermath.
Saturday of the Raising of Lazarus
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5; John 11:55-12:11
Remember, Lord, how we have walked before You,
how we have sought to do what is good in Your eyes;
You have called us to be an elect people,
a priesthood of kings, a nation of holiness,
drawn out of darkness to sing praise to our Lord.
In raising Lazarus, You began the great march,
the march of mercy, the work that saved our lost souls;
You said to our dead and lifeless hearts, "Come forth!"
What is dead, by Your power is raised to full life,
The flow of time is turned back by Your power.
In raising Lazarus from the dead, O Lord,
You showed all humanity Your divinity,
You who ride upon the mighty cherubim;
soon You will humbly enter Jerusalem's gates,
on a colt, displaying Your humanity.
