April 9, 2017

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord A Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Matthew 26: 14 -27: 66 We begin the most solemn and most holy of weeks where we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper with the inauguration of the Holy Eucharist, the suffering and passion on Good Friday, Jesus’ death on the cross, being placed in the tomb and His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. We have heard it many times. No doubt each of us could describe exactly what happened each day. We know the actions that took place during this week; let us look at the words that were spoken. They could have been spoken by us, if we were alive during that tragic week. They could have been spoken to us by Jesus to enable us to know at a deeper level His love for us. As we read through these words, stop wherever we feel the ‘tug’ of the Holy Spirit telling us to wait for a second, then reflect; knowing God is with us, loving us each and every moment and leading us to Him. Judas: “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” Disciples: “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” Jesus: “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, ‘My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” Jesus: “Amen I say to you one of you will betray me.” Disciples: “Surely it is not I Lord? Jesus: “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of man indeed goes, as it is written of hm but woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Judas, “Surely it is not I Lord?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” Jesus: “Take and eat; this is my body…. (and over the cup) Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Jesus: “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken.” Peter: “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. Peter, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” Jesus: “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me… My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me…”My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” To the disciples, “So you could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” To the Father, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” To the disciples, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” Judas, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest Him.” Hail Rabbi!” Jesus said, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Jesus, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and He will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way.”…Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” High Priest, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” High Priest, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion…He deserves to die!” Soldiers, “Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?” Girl to Peter “You too were with Jesus the Galilean” Peter, “I do not know what you are talking about? Another girl, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene, Peter, “I do not know the man!” Judas returning the silver coins, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” Chief Priest, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury for it is the price of blood.” Pilate: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus, “You say so.” Pilate, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?…Which one do you want me to release to you Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” Pilate’s wife, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests, ‘Release Barabbas.” Pilate, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ? ALL, “Let Him be crucified. Pilate, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves. All the people, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” To Jesus: “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” Chief Priests, “He saved others, He cannot save Himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let Him come down for the cross now, and we will believe in Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, “I am the Son of God.” Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Soldiers: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” Sacred Space 2017: • “Look at Judas and watch him—fearfully betraying Jesus. • Look at Jesus as His heart goes out to the weakness of His disciples. • In all sorts of weakness in our lives, the love of God is triumphant. Let Him be the strength in your weakness and sinfulness. • Is Judas motivated by anger and disappointment? • Had he a different vision of the messianic kingdom than Jesus? • Did he resent that Jesus saw through him when he protested at the waste of Mary’s costly ointment at the feast? • One thing is clear: He refused to accept Jesus as He was. • Like us, he didn’t see that it is we, not God, who must change.