MARCH 24, 2013 : (p 2)Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (P 2)

Scripture Study

March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

This Sunday we celebrate Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday as it is popularly known. On this day we commemorate Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. There are two readings from the Gospel today. The Mass begins outside, in front of the church, with the reading of a procession Gospel and the blessing of palm branches followed by a procession with palm branches into the church. The name , "Passion Sunday" stems from the facts that the story of Jesus' passion and death is read from the Gospel in place of the regular gospel reading today and this Sunday also begins Holy Week in which the events of the Passion and Death of Jesus are commemorated and celebrated. Lent officially ends on Holy Thursday (April 12) evening with the Mass of the Lord's Supper when the Church begins a special and particularly solemn three day celebration called the Triduum which is a separate liturgical season on its own. It includes Holy Thursday evening and night, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday up to the Easter Vigil service.

Procession Gospel Reading: Luke 19:28-40

28 After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. 29 As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. 30 He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying it?' you will answer, 'The Master has need of it.'" 32 So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" 34 They answered, "The Master has need of it." 35 So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. 36 As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; 37 and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen.

38 They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"

NOTES on Procession Gospel:

* 19:28-21:38 A new section of Luke's gospel begins with the royal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Luke suggests that the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem before his death and resurrection was a lengthy ministry (Luke 19:47; 20:1; 21:37-38; 22:53). This time is characterized by Jesus' daily teaching in the temple (Luke 21:37-38).

* 19:38 Luke's gospel is the only one that explicitly gives Jesus the title of king when he enters Jerusalem in triumph. Luke has modified Psalm 118:26 that heralded the arrival of the pilgrims coming to the holy city and to the temple by inserting this title into it. Jesus is thereby acclaimed as king (see Luke 1:32) and as the one who comes (see Malachi 3:1; Luke 7:19). The acclamation (Peace in heaven . . . ) of the disciples of Jesus in Luke echoes the announcement of the angels at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:14). The peace that Jesus brings is associated, of course, with the salvation to be accomplished here in Jerusalem by Him.

* 19:39 The command to "Rebuke your disciples," is found only in Luke and is intended to keep the Roman authorities from interpreting the acclamation of Jesus as king as an uprising against them. See Luke 23:2-3.

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7

4 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;

5 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.

6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

7 The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

NOTES on First Reading:

* 50:4-11 This is the third of the four "Servant-of-the-Lord" oracles or songs. The others are found in Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-7;and 52:13-53:12. In this oracle the Servant speaks in verses 4-9 ; while in verses 50:10-11 God reproves the people for not following the Servant.

* 50:5 The Servant does not refuse the divine vocation. He is eager to obey the divine will.

* 50:6 He willingly submits to insults and beatings. The statement, "Plucked my beard" is probably a reference to grave insult rather than indicating literal plucking of the beard.

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,

8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

NOTES on Second Reading:

* 2:6 Verses 6-11 are thought by most scholars to be a Christian hymn that Paul quotes at length with some of his own modifications to the lyrics.

* In verses 6-8 the subject of the short rhythmic lines is Christ while in verses 9-11 the subject is God. It follows the pattern of humiliation and then exaltation.

* The hymn can be divided into six three-line stanzas or into three stanzas. Additions like "even death on a cross" (8c) are thought by many to be Paul's additions (10c and 11c).

* Here in verse 6 there is an allusion to Adam's desire to be like God (Gen 3:5-6) in contrast to Jesus' self-emptying.

* The language in the original probably owes something to proverbial sayings of the day urging one to "exploit something for one's own (selfish) advantage". That would explain some of the difficulties such as grasping at something he already had and the use of a word elsewhere only attested in the active sense of robbery.

* 2:7 Vv 6 and 7 are commonly taken to refer to the preexistence of the Son and v 8 to the incarnate life making lines 7b and c parallel. It is not absolutely necessary to do so. Vv 6-8 can also be taken as two parallel stanzas dealing with Christ's earthly life. See John 17:5; Matt 20:28

* 2:8 This verse may reflect the language of Isaiah concerning the suffering servant. See Isa 52:13-53:12 especially Isa 53:12.

* The name referred to is "Lord" which as the common word for God revealed the true identity and nature of the one named.

* 2-10 The three levels of the universe as recognized by the ancient world are all depicted as under the dominion of the one "Lord" using the language of Isa 45:23.

* 2:11 "Jesus Christ is Lord" is a common early Christian acclamation (1Cor 12:3, Rom 10:9). The hymn ends with a doxology to the Father in verse 11c.

Gospel Reading: Full Reading is Luke 22:14-23:56 Short Form (given here) is Luke 23:1-49

1 Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king." 3 Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." 4 Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." 5 But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here."

6 On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; 7 and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. 11 (Even) Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. 13 Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people 14 and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, 15 nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. 16 Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." 17 [Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people.]

18 But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." 19 (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) 20 Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, 21 but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" 22 Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." 23 With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. 24 The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. 25 So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

26 As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, 29 for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' 30 At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' 31 for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" 32 Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. 34 (Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.") They divided his garments by casting lots. 35 The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God." 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine 37 they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

44 It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon 45 because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. 47 The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." 48 When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; 49 but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

NOTES on Gospel:

The actual reading is much too long to permit us to provide a detailed treatment here. Even the short form of the Gospel reading which is provided here is difficult to deal with in the usual way. Therefore these notes are somewhat less extensive and detailed than usual. We must remember that the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus was the first part of the Gospel story to be formulated and written down. Here the account of the saving death of Jesus is from the very heart of the gospel story. This reading tells us the core of who Jesus is and what He is all about.

* 23:1-5,13-25 Jesus is brought before Pilate twice in Luke's gospel. Pilate explicitly declares Jesus innocent of any wrongdoing each time (Luke 23:4,14,22). It is also characteristic of John's gospel (John 18:38; 19:4,6) to stress the innocence of Jesus before the Roman authorities. Perhaps because his gospel is intended for a Gentile audience Luke presents the Jerusalem Jewish leaders as the ones who force the hand of the Roman authorities (Luke 23:1-2,5,10,13,18,21,23-25).

* 23:6-12 Only Luke's gospel has the appearance of Jesus before Herod. Luke has made Herod an important figure in his story (Luke 9:7-9; 13:31-33) and has presented him as someone who has been curious about Jesus for a long time. However, his curiosity goes unrewarded because it is faith in Jesus, not curiosity, that is rewarded (Luke 7:50; 8:48,50; 17:19).

* 23:17 This verse, "He was obliged to release one prisoner for them at the festival," is not part of the original text of Luke. It is an explanatory gloss from Mark 15:6 (also Matthew 27:15) and is not found in many early and important Greek manuscripts.

* 23:26-32 The need for the Christian disciple to follow in the footsteps of Jesus has been an important Lucan theme throughout the gospel. Here this theme is emphasized by the story of Simon of Cyrene who takes up the cross and follows Jesus (see Luke 9:23; 14:27) and by the large crowd who likewise follow Jesus on the way of the cross.

* 23:34 [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."] of Luke 23:34 does not occur in the oldest papyrus manuscript of Luke and in other early Greek manuscripts and ancient versions of wide geographical distribution.

* 23:39-43 The story of the penitent thief is found only in Luke's gospel. The penitent sinner receives salvation through the crucified Jesus. Jesus' words to the penitent thief reveal Luke's understanding that the destiny of the Christian is "to be with Jesus."

* 23:44 Literally, the time is stated as the sixth and ninth hours.

* 23:47 This man was innocent could be rendered "This man was righteous." 

 Courtesy of: http://www.st-raymond-dublin.org:80/scripture.php - St. Raymond Parish, Dublin, CA
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 
The men who were guarding Jesus on the night of his passion continued to heap insults on him after beating him.
The raw pain inflicted by their actions epitomises our humanity’s need for redemption. We cannot detach ourselves from those who mocked Jesus. After all, dear, lovable Peter asserted three times that night that he did not know Jesus. And he was the one who had identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

Passion Sunday is a day to acknowledge that each of us has contributed to the pain of Jesus. Throughout his passion, Jesus confronted evil simply because he had identified himself with our humanity. As we enter Easter Week, we reflect on the mystery of how this conflict with evil confirmed our identity with the Son of the living God who, in being one of us, became our saviour. 
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King of Hearts

Palm Sunday of the Lord´s Passion

Luke 23:1-49 Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king." Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here." On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod´s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Even Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ´Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.´ At that time people will say to the mountains, ´Fall upon us!´ and to the hills, ´Cover us!´ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the Temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, I look to you with great confidence as I set out this week to walk the path to Calvary accompanying your Beloved Son on his way to redeeming us. I know this period is an opportunity to see my difficulties and trials as ways to conform my life better to that of your Son. Here I am Lord, ready and desiring to learn from you and imitate you. Petition: Lord Jesus, let my thirst for happiness be quenched by your love. 1. The Search for Happiness: Everyone  is passionately fond of liberty, but there is one thing we crave even more, and without which existence and even liberty is painful: happiness. It is one of life’s greatest paradoxes that as much as people seek to be free, they still wish to be a slave; not a slave in the sense that their liberty is denied to them, but in the sense that they yearn for something they can worship, something that will solicit their will, pull at their heartstrings, tempt their energies and command their affections. They want to be free to choose between various kinds of happiness, but they do not want to be free from happiness; they wish to be its slave. 2. Two Ways: There are two ways of responding to this hunger of the soul and this thirst of the heart: one is the way of the world, the other is the way of Christ. Before we indulge in the pleasures of the world, they seem desirable and appear to be all that we will need to make us happy. But after we have them, they become disappointing and sometimes even disgusting. The contrary is true of the pleasures of Christ. Before we have them, they are hard, unattractive, and even repulsive. But after we possess them, they are satisfying and become all our heart could ever desire. 3. Jesus Christ Is the Answer: What the world deems success is really failure and unhappiness. What the world deems failure and defeat is really success and victory. This reality is played out in Our Lord’s Passion. Jesus is the happiness we seek and the answer to all our desires. His way is the way of the cross, and therefore, as his followers, we must follow the same path. Jesus assures us that the poor shall not always be poor; the crucified shall not be always on a cross; the poor shall be rich; the lowly shall be exalted; those who sow in tears shall reap in joy; those who mourn shall be comforted; and those who suffer with Christ shall reign with him. In the words of the poet Francis Thompson, Christ says to you, “All which I took from thee I did but take, not for thy harms, but just that thou might’st seek it in my arms. All which thy child’s mistake fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home: Rise, clasp my hand, and come!” Conversation with Christ: Jesus, come and be the king of my heart. During this week of your Passion I want to grow in my love and appreciation for you and all you do for me. Help me with your grace to be a faithful follower and give me the strength to take up my cross with love and generosity. Resolution:I will visit Our Lord in the Eucharist, renewing my desire to be totally his and praying that Jesus be totally mine.

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March 24
St. Catherine of Genoa
(1447-1510)

Going to confession one day was the turning point of Catherine’s life.

When Catherine was born, many Italian nobles were supporting Renaissance artists and writers. The needs of the poor and the sick were often overshadowed by a hunger for luxury and self-indulgence.
Catherine’s parents were members of the nobility in Genoa. At 13 she attempted to become a nun but failed because of her age. At 16 she married Julian, a nobleman who turned out to be selfish and unfaithful. For a while she tried to numb her disappointment by a life of selfish pleasure.
One day in confession she had a new sense of her own sins and how much God loved her. She reformed her life and gave good example to Julian, who soon turned from his self-centered life of distraction.
Julian’s spending, however, had ruined them financially. He and Catherine decided to live in the Pammatone, a large hospital in Genoa, and to dedicate themselves to works of charity there. After Julian’s death in 1497, Catherine took over management of the hospital.
She wrote about purgatory which, she said, begins on earth for souls open to God. Life with God in heaven is a continuation and perfection of the life with God begun on earth.
Exhausted by her life of self-sacrifice, she died September 15, 1510, and was canonized in 1737.

Comment:

Regular confessions and frequent Communion can help us see the direction (or drift) of our life with God. People who have a realistic sense of their own sinfulness and of the greatness of God are often the ones who are most ready to meet the needs of their neighbors. Catherine began her hospital work with enthusiasm and was faithful to it through difficult times because she was inspired by the love of God, a love which was renewed in her by the Scriptures and the sacraments.

Quote:

Shortly before Catherine’s death she told her goddaughter: "Tomasina! Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God’s love, entire love!" (Marion A. Habig, O.F.M., The Franciscan Book of Saints, p. 212).

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