LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 21(22):8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Luke 22:14 – 23:56
Link to readings
This Sunday, we begin the holiest week of the Church’s liturgical year. We read two passages from the Gospels, relating how the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, accompanied by crowds who acclaim him as Saviour and King, gave way to his betrayal and death, alone and abandoned by all. The other readings help us understand the meaning of these events of the Passion.
The First Reading is one of the passages about the suffering servant of God from the book of Isaiah. As Christians, we read this as showing how Jesus lived out his patient trust in God. It can help and enable us to bear our trials and difficulties.
In Psalm 21 (22) we hear familiar echoes of the crucifixion narratives. You may like to find the whole of the psalm in your bible or online; its words of hope in the midst of great suffering, and profound trust in God, are the prayer of Jesus from the cross.
St Paul’s text is a hymn to Jesus’s life and death (Second Reading). Christ’s humility in becoming a human being was even more profound when he accepted to die a shameful death on a cross. But, as Paul writes, God raised him from death and gave him the highest name of all, so that all beings should bend the knee to Jesus and ‘acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
This week we accompany Jesus; we pray for the grace of an awareness of our sinfulness, and for sorrow and true contrition in the face of the sufferings of Jesus.
PSALM 21 (22)
R/. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads ‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; Let him release him if this is his friend.’
Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet, I can count every one of my bones.
They divide my clothing among them. They cast lots for my robe. O Lord, do not leave me alone, My strength, make haste to help me!
I will tell of your name to my people and praise you where they are assembled. You who fear the Lord give him praise; all children of Jacob, give him glory.
REFLECTION
As I come to my place of prayer, I remember that God our Lord is inviting me to be here, gazing on me with an enormous love. I take time to come to stillness, bringing myself to God just as I am in this moment.
Before I read this psalm, I recall that these are the words Jesus prayed in his last hours. Perhaps I place myself at the foot of the cross as Jesus shares his prayer with me.
Slowly, I read the psalm, one sentence at a time, while noticing those words that catch my attention. Gently, without striving, I listen for whatever God might have to say to me.
Perhaps there have been times when I have begged for God’s help during life’s troubles or suffering. I recall those moments and my need of God.
I may remember with gratitude and joy the times when I have known the presence of God with me, even in the midst of great difficulty.
I share my reflections with the Lord, knowing that he understands, asking for whatever grace I need. I end with a slow Our Father or Anima Christi.
GOSPEL
Luke 22: 14–23: 56 (part)
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer him vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews’.
One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’. And with these words he breathed his last.
REFLECTION
Coming to my prayer, I do not rush; I allow myself to become still in body and mind in the presence of God. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me.
I may like to place myself somewhere in the scene as I read this familiar gospel passage slowly. What do I see, hear, taste, smell, touch …? With whom do I identify or want to speak? What do I notice about Jesus?
I ponder what I want to say to Jesus. Perhaps I may speak with him about his choice to become a human being for me, leaving his eternal life to die in this way because of my sinfulness.
Then I share with Jesus how I have responded to him in the past, how I long to respond now, and how I hope to respond to him in the future.
I remember that, although I am a sinner, I am also uniquely loved and already forgiven by God. Jesus remembers me and loves me! For this I thank God, ending my prayer with praise. Glory be . . .