The torment of crucifixion itself was terrible; it was still greater torment to be insulted in his agony by those he came to minister to. Morning after morning It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent, and the week in which Christians celebrate the mystery of their salvation through Christ’s death and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. His second denial, to the maid and the bystanders. The word for the cloth is sindon, a fine linen cloth, indicating that the wearer probably belonged to a family in good circumstances. This court was the place where the guards and servants of the high priest were assembled. save yourself by coming down from the cross.” they stripped him of the purple cloak, It’s likely that Peter was aiming for the top of his head and missed, cutting off his ear. The Diocese of Leeds is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. The structure itself suggests that the one who comes in the Lord’s name and the kingdom of David that is to come are somehow intimately related. This second group of mockers repeats the second charge raised against him, his Messiahship (see Mark 14:61). knowing that I shall not be put to shame. Roman custom permitted the soldiers to take a prisoner’s clothes as a kind of payment for their services, but the description of the procedure is clearly inspired by Psalm 22:18-19. March 26, 2021 March 23, 2021 ~ Laura Introduction Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem during the feast of Passover, just days before his death. Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to … Required fields are marked *. The word for “veil” is katapetasma, which specifically identifies the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. If we are to be saved, we must go where salvation takes place: in our streets and in our homes where violence rages; in the dark corners of life where despair seems to hold sway; wherever the innocent are abused or the needy are neglected; wherever there is misunderstanding or fear or jealousy. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD' Solemnity PASSION / Procession. saw how he breathed his last he said, Such appears to be the proper order of the words; namely, the national, the official, and the common dialect. He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Hebrew legend has it as the burial place of Adam’s skull: “When Noah the righteous left the ark, after the waters of the flood had receded and the face of the earth was revealed, he came with his sons first to Mount Moriah. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, This is similar to how emergency officials can commandeer a private vehicle today. But it was also used on those who were condemned to crucifixion, to weaken them before affixing them to the cross. He separates himself from even the smaller group; Luke 22:41 says he only went about a stone’s throw away. and cried out: “Hosanna! The precise naming of Simon and his sons is probably due to their being known among the early Christian believers to whom Mark addressed his gospel. Hosanna in the highest!”. “Hosanna” is technically a cry for help. since it was the day of preparation, The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room with the man you call the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “Let her alone. and found it just as he had told them; At noon darkness came over the whole land A.The Bible as Guide in Life and Liturgy (Sunday Readings … In today’s readings we experience Jesus, as the suffering servant who brings God’s love to the human family. Now he rises from his seat, and comes forward into the midst (Greek: eis ho mesos), and demands an answer. “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, “This cross, if you mark it well, was a judgment-seat. The Jews have chosen a murderer over a holy and just man. In fact, throughout this account, only the women among Jesus’ intimate followers remained faithful. something to be grasped. It describes the leafy boughs, which would form a kind of matting on the ground, rather than woody branches. but he did not take it. Pilate apparently assumes that by limiting their choice between Barabbas (a murderer) and Jesus (a popular and peaceful rabbi), they would choose Jesus. It leads one to conclude that the kingdom will be inaugurated by the one who comes in the Lord’s name. This is a messianic greeting, as the Jews had long been expecting one who comes in the name of the Lord, to inaugurate the time of fulfillment, the reign of God. Jesus had frequently declared himself to be the Son of God. He willingly hands himself over to be beaten and shamed. It means, “Save us, we pray!”. This statement contrasts the intimacy of table fellowship with the treachery of the traitor. A man called Barabbas was then in prison Could you not keep watch for one hour? Silence was the most dignified response to such an accusation. Jesus reassures them that after his resurrection he would regather them in Galilee, where he first summoned them to be his followers at the beginning of his ministry. While Peter was below in the courtyard, At the sixth hour, the day was turned into the darkness of night, so that stars were seen in the heavens; and there was a great earthquake in Bithynia, which destroyed many houses in the city of Nicaea. The pain arising from the pressure of these sharp thorns upon the head must have been excruciating. Pilate said to them, “Why? Now, a formal trial is initiated in the morning. but you will not always have me. “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. It is generally supposed that Jesus, continually praying upon his cross, and offering himself a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, recited the whole of Psalm 22, of which these are the first words. Here, Jesus gives the true remedy against temptation: watchfulness and prayer. But he was silent and answered nothing. with swords and clubs, to seize me? “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.”. As soon as morning came, He summoned the centurion He assures the woman of the remembrance of her deed in the worldwide preaching of the good news. — which is translated Place of the Skull — Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. We know from Luke 23:1-5 that when Pilate demanded particularly what the charges against Jesus were, they alleged these three things: 1) that he perverted the nation; 2) that he forbade to give tribute to Caesar; 3) that he said that he was Christ, a King. The Greek states that their eyes were katabaréō, literally, very heavily weighed down. Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. I shall go before you to Galilee.” No explanation is given as to why his prophecy should elicit such a violent response, or even who his persecutors might be. Most translations say “sour wine” or “vinegar.” Psalm 69:22 is fulfilled: they gave me vinegar to drink for my thirst. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Note the speed of Peter’s repentance, which was immediate. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes. Since the psalms were not yet numbered, it was common practice to refer to them by their opening verse. This is the only time that Jesus speaks of “covenant.” A covenant is a family bond that is sealed both by blood and the sharing of a communal meal. “Hosanna! One of the bystanders drew his sword, When the great crowd that had come to the feast. St. Jerome says that Arimathea was called Ramathaim-Zophim (“the lofty place”), where Elkanah and Hannah were from, and where Samuel was born. and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. Not necessarily thieves but social revolutionists like Barabbas, and what Jesus is supposed by the Romans to be. An extremely presumptuous statement, given that Jesus had just distinctly stated that they would all falter. Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. March 28, 2021 - Passion/Palm Sunday (B) Part 1: COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. that I might know how to speak to the weary Jesus goes on to speak explicitly of his impending death, with a poignant foreshadowing. Note that they do not deny the fact that he has performed miracles and “saved others.”, Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”. Not only did he relinquish his divine privilege and status, he emptied himself of it. that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. As mentioned earlier, the Passover sacrifice took place on the 14th of Nisan, which was also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests had charged him with many things but proved nothing against him. It marks the tremendous iniquity of the betrayal that it was “one of the twelve” who betrayed him — not one of the seventy, but one of those who were closest to him. Because of this, he has been exalted above everyone and everything else. but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. The name is better written as “Bar-Abbas,” which means “son of father.” There is a clear irony in the choice between him and Jesus, the true “Son of the Father.”. Gospel Reading for Palm Sunday 2021 – March 28 2021 – Mark 14:1-15:47 1 The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. Mark makes it clear that Jesus understood that he was soon to die, first by hinting at his approaching departure. Make the preparations for us there.” (Then the cock crowed.). and began to be troubled and distressed. and put their cloaks over it. The Greek word for “branches” is used by Mark only. Recall that in Jewish tradition, one’s name contains part of the essence of the individual. According to Josephus, both the katapetasma and the kalumma, or the outer veil of the temple, were each forty cubits in height and ten in breadth, of great substance, very massive, and richly embroidered with gold and purple. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. It was quite brave for Peter to come here, especially considering that he had just cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. In this narrative, the bystanders direct the acclamation to Jesus, thus making it a cry of homage and not merely a greeting. Each scene within it, though a discrete story in itself, is connected with what precedes it and moves the drama resolutely forward. 31 in S. This gospel is read at the procession with palms before Mass: His glorification was won at a great price, but it is now his by victory and not by mere bestowal. By touching the corpse, Joseph and the others have rendered themselves unclean for the Passover. Hyper, the Greek preposition used here “for many,” is different from the one used in Matthew’s account of the Last Supper, but the same as that found in Luke’s. It was then placed over their heads when the cross was erected. and ministered to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” So they brought the colt to Jesus Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Only in this version of the story do the people carry palms, a symbol of victory. She has done what she could. “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This was a fine linen garment, or shroud, something like that in which the young man fled the night before (Mark 14:51, 52). You have heard the blasphemy. It was a foreigner, a centurion, who publicly acclaimed his divinity. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, Ripping one’s clothing was an expression of indignation and grief, and was the usual reaction to hearing blasphemy. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses The praetorium was the judgment hall; the room where the praetor, or Roman magistrate, kept his court of judicature. Once again he denied it. It would then be brought to the house to be cooked; the unleavened bread, the bitter herbs, and the wine would have to be provided, as well as the water for purification. not made with hands.’” In any case, sindon is an unusual word. He was, no doubt, sincere — but he had yet to learn his own weakness. the father of Alexander and Rufus, Note how emphatic his denial is. heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. Instead, the man who had so often silenced the Scribes and Pharisees is now silent. and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? Everyday believers often identify strongly with Peter. ( Log Out /  For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. Pilate again said to them in reply, Fear no more, O daughter Zion; The prophet must be always attentive to hear the word that is given. Isaiah 53:7 states, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”, Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?”. Crucifixion, the form of execution reserved for slaves and those who had totally forfeited all civil rights, was a cursed, painful, and shameful death. Knowing he is going to face death, Jesus wants to strengthen himself through prayer. These women were two of the group previously mentioned. Without losing his divine nature, he took on the human condition. and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, God is in control. The bystanders mishear Jesus’ words, thinking that he was calling on Elijah. The Greek verb translated as “tore” implies violent dramatic action. When we read the words in the context of the other readings this Sunday, we hear the words as referring to Jesus. The best way to enter Holy Week with him is in the company of those with whom he has identified himself: the poor and the broken; the humiliated and the marginalized; those who suffer the abuse of others; those who never use rank to force their will. The Sanhedrin convenes. We have a savior who was lifted up and exalted precisely because he emptied himself of his divine prerogatives. Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. who had come from the chief priests, Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; Mark is the only gospel writer who mentions this incident. Matthew 27:20 states, “They persuaded the multitudes” (peithó tous). The Diocese of Leeds is a Charity registered in England and Wales as Leeds Diocesan Trust, registration number 249404. Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, All we know is that his ministry generates this response and that he does not abandon it or take himself out of harm’s way. Prayers and Readings for Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday . Jesus said, “Let her alone. The evening commenced at three o’clock. When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper. There is a kind of chiastic structure to the entire exclamation: Hosanna / Blessed / Blessed / Hosanna. A phrase frequent in prophetic preaching (Ezekiel 3:8-9; Luke 9:51). She has done a good thing for me. Under Roman rule, the death penalty was a sentence only Roman authorities could deliver. See, my betrayer is at hand.”. All four gospel writers mention the inscription, but no two of them in precisely the same words. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, He seems to be a total stranger. The exact position of Gethsemane is not known, but Saint Jerome tells us that it was at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The wording makes Judas appear to be the leader; however, this is unlikely. He “did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,” “emptied himself,” “took the form of a slave in human likeness,” and “was obedient to…death.” Paul goes on to anticipate Jesus’ Easter vindication. Within the framework of the Passover meal, the actions and words of Jesus express the transition to a new covenant, offering himself as the covenant sacrifice in anticipation of his passion and death. Regardless, the question obviously affected the position of Caesar, which is Pilate’s focus and priority. Mark doesn’t provide the explicit detail that the council finds him guilty, which is why he is bound and led away. It would probably be about 2 a.m., when the first trial of our Lord took place in the house of Caiaphas. However, the Greek word used here implies simply a person and not necessarily a male. Then Jesus said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” This aspect of his exaltation is power: every knee bows to him, which echoes Isaiah 45:23. All will praise Christ. COLLECT PRAYER. Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. and the sheep will be dispersed. This account passes over the fact that a trial must have been completed and Jesus had been declared guilty. It has special meaning here, with the image of a face covered with spittle. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem during the feast of Passover, just days before his death. “Amen, I say to you, In either case, “many” does not mean that some are excluded, but is a Semitism designating the collectivity who benefit from the service of the one, and is equivalent to “all.”, Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! The Jews deliver Jesus to Pilate for a separate hearing, because under Roman rule they were not allowed to put anyone to death without the authority of the governor. As we will see, Jesus does not enter the holy city on foot like a pilgrim would. the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, Usually the voice fails the dying, more especially when the natural forces have been weakened by long agony, as in the case of Christ. One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed According to Leviticus 24, the penalty should have been stoning. Version Download 79; File Size 345.18 KB; File Count 1; Create Date March 26, 2021; Last Updated April 19, 2021; Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Mass Prayers & Readings) March 28th 2021. A Greek transliteration of the Aramaic gulgulta; a word which means “skull.” The Latin word is calvariae, from which the English “Calvary” is derived. by casting lots for them to see what each should take. All of this points to Jesus’ fulfillment of the Davidic messianic expectations, which is undoubtedly a reason to exalt “in the highest!”. wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. Follow him. For the procession of palms, the celebrant may choose to use John’s gospel account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, a reading which is quite straightforward. “Where do you want us to go Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.”. The imperfect tense of the Greek implies that he kept asserting this over and over again. Paul, writing to the Romans (Romans 16:13), sends a special salutation to Rufus. If anyone should say to you, Suffering is part of every person’s life, just as it was part of Jesus’ life. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. Here, it is obviously meant to mock Jesus as the King of the Jews. You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.”. this very night before the cock crows twice Jesus reminds them that charity to the poor does not excuse believers from acts of piety. However, combined with the use of the branches, this seems to be a clear allusion to Psalm 118:25-27, which describes the festive procession on the Feast of Tabernacles. It is enough. The first cockcrow would have been around 1:00 a.m., and the second around 5:00 or 6:00; an indication of how long the proceedings upstairs lasted. Mark’s gospel recounts the major events within a prearranged plan, as seen in the foreshadowing here. Registered Office: Hinsley Hall, 62 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX. Many also see an allusion to the Genesis story of Adam. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? yet you did not arrest me; He would traditionally be seated at the top of the semicircle, with the members of the Sanhedrin on either side of him, and the accused in front of him. Rather than reinforce the misconceptions of the people by riding into the city triumphantly on a horse, as a warrior-king, he mounts a donkey. The weather was cold, for it was early springtime and it was now after midnight.

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