God, give us the strength to control our urge to rush from the Triumphal Entry to the Victorious Resurrection without recalling the passion and death of your Son. Remind us of the pain of betrayal. Teach us the embarrassment of arrest and conviction. Bring to our minds the anguish of torture. And give us the courage to face the agonizing death of the Messiah. Then, and only then will we be fully prepared to greet the dawn that is awaits on the Third Day. We sit in darkness, awaiting the light of the Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.