April 13, 2014

Passion Sunday

April 13, 2014:  Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Readings
  • [Procession with palms] Mt 21:1-11  Jesus:  “Go into the village, and bring me an ass and a colt.”  The disciples brought them, and he sat on them.  The crowd cried out:  “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  When he entered Jerusalem, the crowds said,  “This is Jesus the prophet.”
  • Is 50:4-7  I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from spitting.  God is my help; I know I won't be put to shame.
    Tagxedo word cloud 4-13-14
  • Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24  "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"  All mock me:  “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, if he loves him.”  Evildoers surround and pierce me; they cast lots for my garments.  Help me, Lord; I'll proclaim your name.
  • Phil 2:6-11  Christ Jesus didn't grasp at equality with God but emptied himself, coming in human likeness.  He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death.  God exalted him, so that at Jesus' name every knee should bend and every tongue confess that he is Lord.
Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the chief priests for 30 silver pieces.  At the Passover supper Jesus says one will betray him; the disciples deny it.  He took bread and a cup, said the blessing, and gave them to the disciples:  “Take, eat and drink; this is my body and blood, to be given up and shed for you.”  At the Mount of Olives:  “You'll have your faith in me shaken.”  Peter / Jesus:  “Not mine.” / “You'll deny me.” / “No!”
At Gethsemane:  “Sit here while I go pray....  Keep watch.”  “Father, let this pass—but as you will.”  “Peter, you couldn't keep watch with me for one hour?  Watch and pray.”  “The hour is at hand for the Son of Man to be handed over; my betrayer is at hand.”  Judas kissed Jesus, and they arrested Jesus.  Jesus:  “You didn't arrest me when I taught daily in the temple area...”  The disciples fled, Jesus was taken to high priest Caiaphas. 
The Sanhedrin found two false witnesses, Jesus said “You'll see the Son of Man seated at God's right hand, and Caiaphas declared it blasphemy; they said Jesus should die, then struck and mocked him.  Peter denied Jesus, a cock crowed, and Peter wept.  Judas regretted his betrayal, returned the money, and hanged himself.  The chief priests led Jesus to governor Pilate.  Pilate questioned Jesus, but he didn't answer.  Pilate offered to release a prisoner, and the elders-incited crowd chose Barabbas then insisted that Jesus be crucified.  Pilate released Barabbas and handed Jesus over.

His soldiers stripped Jesus, mocked him with a cloak, crown of thorns, and taunts, struck him, and led him off.  Simon the Cyrene carried the cross.  After they crucified him, they cast lots for his garments, passers-by and leaders reviled him, and darkness came.  Jesus cried, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” then gave up his spirit.  The sanctuary veil was torn, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and saints' bodies were raised.  The guards said, “This was the Son of God!”  Women who had followed Jesus looked on. 
At evening, disciple Joseph came from Arimathea and asked Pilate for Jesus' body, Pilate had it handed over; Joseph laid it in a new tomb, rolled a stone across the entrance, and left, while the Marys stayed.  The chief priests and Pharisees asked Pilate to secure the grave, he consented, and they sealed the tomb and set the guard.
Jesus, with sleepers, at Gesthemane
Pope Francis
  • Homily:  Jesus’ disciples fell asleep just before Judas Iscariot betrayed him.  “Has my life fallen asleep?'' “Am I like Pontius Pilate, who, when he sees the situation is difficult, washes his hands?''  Question for Holy Week:  “Where is my heart?''
    Music
    Reflections
      • Creighton:  Cut off some of your palm branch to carry around; feel it and pray, "Hosanna; save me!" Let it recall how he was denied and call you to gratitude for Jesus' self-giving love and to deeper desire to serve others; let it remind you that participation in his cross leads to new life.
      • One Bread One Body:  Imagine how Jesus felt when his betrayer kissed him, but Jesus never stopped loving him.  What kind of kiss will I give:  of love, repentance, and commitment, or betrayal, indifference, and death?  Will our actions say "Hosanna" or "Crucify Him"?
          • Passionist:  The Passion of Jesus can rouse us, because it demonstrates God's love and self-emptying for our salvation; it shows God transforms evil into good, suffering to healing, death to life.  We can get weary of struggles, pain, or injustice, but reflecting on the Cross, we know Jesus will help us and lead us to Easter.  Jesus' love shown on the Cross can rouse us out of despair, exhaustion, fear, apathy, complacency, and the mob mentality that called for Jesus' crucifixion.  May the Passion be always in our hearts and move us to love, peace, and justice.
          • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus Christ came to bring us the kingdom of God; he's the true King who offers peace, joy, and life for those who accept him.  Does the King of Glory find welcome in you?
          • Moved to greater love Jesuit reflection on being united with the Lord Jesus in his Passion:  With whom do I identify in the Passion?  What point/event resonates with me?  As I contemplate the 2nd reading (Christological/kenosis hymn), how am I moved and humbled at the sight of Jesus on the cross, lovingly emptying himself for me?
          The cross can become a fire challenging us to resolve human problems.  It wasn't new, but Jesus' love made it a way to life and transformation.  Jesus invites us to put all crosses into relationship with our own and to plant love and hope.  —"The Cross Opens the Way to Life" from Journeying with the Lord:  Reflections for Everyday/Cardinal Martini
          • Universalis:  The Donkey/ Chesterton; St. Martin I, pope.
            Apparel

            • "Palm tree" pin:  palm procession
            • Skeleton tie pin:  I can count all my bones. (psalm)
            • "Coin" button (bottom visible at top right):  They paid Judas thirty pieces of silver (gospel)
            • "Clock" tie/bar:  “My appointed time draws near”; "Peter, you couldn't keep watch with me one hour?" Darkness came from noon to 3pm (gospel)
            • "Sheep" tie bar:  "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed" (gospel)
            • "Kneeling person" tie bar:  Jesus' prayer at Gesthemane; we kneel when we read Jesus gave up his spirit (gospel)
            • "?" tie pin:  Pilate first questions Jesus, then the crowd (gospel)
            • "Roses" pin:  they wove a crown out of thorns (gospel)
            • "Rock" tie pin:  rocks were split (gospel)
            • "Hands" tie:  they pierced my hands and feet (gospel); "Palm" Sunday (today's celebration :-)
            • Purple shirt:  day's color (per ordo)
            • "Wooden" suspenders:  wood of the cross (gospel)

            Dress your life!
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