Maundy Thursday of Lent
April 17, 2025
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 | Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 |1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Maundy Thursday of Lent Devotion
by Ben Bigcraft
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage in Scranton PA
On February 25, 2024, over two dozen people gathered in Scranton, Pennsylvania to walk in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza. The event was part of the larger Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage movement advocating for peace and justice for people in Gaza and the return of hostages. The pilgrimages have taken place in over 100 cities across the world.
Feroul Abedrabbo, President of the Islamic Association of Scranton, told WNEP News: “We’re trying to show the people we are here. We are behind them. They cannot talk, but we are their voice.”
The 25-mile walk was organized by “Christians for the Common Good,” an affiliate of the University of Scranton’s Peace and Justice Studies program, and welcomed people of all faith backgrounds.
University of Scranton Professor of Theology Will Cohen spoke to WNEP News, saying: “We’re not against anybody. We’re in solidarity with both people, but we see the particular vulnerability with Gazans right now who are now nearing 30,000 dead and ongoing devastation in that area.”
“The humanitarian crisis is extremely dire. There’s not a military solution to the holy land conflict. It has to be done through diplomacy. There needs to be a way for both Jewish Israelis and Palestinians to live together,” Julie Schumacher-Cohen of Churches for Middle East Peace said to WNEP News. “I think people are moved. They care. They don’t always know what they can do. They sometimes feel helpless. This is a way for people to come together and to show that we can try to make a difference in this very difficult situation.”
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage events will continue to be organized worldwide, including by Churches for Middle East Peace, during the 2025 season of Lent, advocating for a just peace for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank as a fragile ceasefire continues between Israel and Hamas.
Ben Bigcraft is a recent graduate of the University of Utah with a B.S. in International Studies and minors in Middle East Studies and Arabic. Ben has experience in humanitarian and mission work domestically and abroad and has a particular interest in restoration, healing, and peace for those affected by conflicts, especially in the Middle East. He is also passionate about promoting understanding between people across ethnic, religious, and cultural lines through storytelling.
To read the previous devotional click here: https://cmep.org/prayers4peacepalmsundayoflent/
A printable PDF of all of this year’s Lent devotionals are available for download and printing HERE
These devotions were written early Spring 2025 and may contain figures and events that have changed at the time of reading.