Posted on 04/08/2006 10:30:11 PM PDT by Salvation
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
At the Procession with Palms
Gospel 1
Mk 11:1-10
When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples and said to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
‘Why are you doing this?’ reply,
‘The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.’”
So they went off
and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street,
and they untied it.
Some of the bystanders said to them,
“What are you doing, untying the colt?”
They answered them just as Jesus had told them to,
and they permitted them to do it.
So they brought the colt to Jesus
and put their cloaks over it.
And he sat on it.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!”
or
Jn 12:12-16
When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard
that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
the king of Israel.”
Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:
Fear no more, O daughter Zion;
see, your king comes, seated upon an ass(s colt.
His disciples did not understand this at first,
but when Jesus had been glorified
they remembered that these things were written about him
and that they had done this for him.
At the Mass
Reading 1
Is 50:4-7
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;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
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.
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.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Reading II
Phil 2:6-11
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel
Mk 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
were to take place in two days( time.
So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way
to arrest him by treachery and put him to death.
They said, “Not during the festival,
for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”
When he was in Bethany reclining at table
in the house of Simon the leper,
a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil,
costly genuine spikenard.
She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head.
There were some who were indignant.
“Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?
It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages
and the money given to the poor.”
They were infuriated with her.
Jesus said, “Let her alone.
Why do you make trouble for her?
She has done a good thing for me.
The poor you will always have with you,
and whenever you wish you can do good to them,
but you will not always have me.
She has done what she could.
She has anticipated anointing my body for burial.
Amen, I say to you,
wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world,
what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,
went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them.
When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money.
Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
his disciples said to him,
“Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
“Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there.”
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he came with the Twelve.
And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me,
one who is eating with me.”
They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one,
“Surely it is not I?”
He said to them,
“One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish.
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.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
“Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
“This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
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.”
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them,
“All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be dispersed.
But after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee.”
Peter said to him,
“Even though all should have their faith shaken,
mine will not be.”
Then Jesus said to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
this very night before the cock crows twice
you will deny me three times.”
But he vehemently replied,
“Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you.”
And they all spoke similarly.
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
(Sit here while I pray.(
He took with him Peter, James, and John,
and began to be troubled and distressed.
Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch.”
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed
that if it were possible the hour might pass by him;
he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me,
but not what I will but what you will.”
When he returned he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing.
Then he returned once more and found them asleep,
for they could not keep their eyes open
and did not know what to answer him.
He returned a third time and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
It is enough. The hour has come.
Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go.
See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Then, while he was still speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs
who had come from the chief priests,
the scribes, and the elders.
His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying,
“The man I shall kiss is the one;
arrest him and lead him away securely.”
He came and immediately went over to him and said,
“Rabbi.” And he kissed him.
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
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?
Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area,
yet you did not arrest me;
but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.”
And they all left him and fled.
Now a young man followed him
wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body.
They seized him,
but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.
They led Jesus away to the high priest,
and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard
and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin
kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus
in order to put him to death, but they found none.
Many gave false witness against him,
but their testimony did not agree.
Some took the stand and testified falsely against him,
alleging, “We heard him say,
‘I will destroy this temple made with hands
and within three days I will build another
not made with hands.’”
Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus,
saying, “Have you no answer?
What are these men testifying against you?”
But he was silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him and said to him,
“Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?”
Then Jesus answered, “I am;
and ‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power
and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
At that the high priest tore his garments and said,
“What further need have we of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?”
They all condemned him as deserving to die.
Some began to spit on him.
They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!”
And the guards greeted him with blows.
While Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the high priest’s maids came along.
Seeing Peter warming himself,
she looked intently at him and said,
“You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”
But he denied it saying,
“I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.”
So he went out into the outer court.
Then the cock crowed.
The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders,
“This man is one of them.”
Once again he denied it.
A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more,
“Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.”
He began to curse and to swear,
“I do not know this man about whom you are talking.”
And immediately a cock crowed a second time.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him,
“Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”
He broke down and wept.
As soon as morning came,
the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,
that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
“Have you no answer?
See how many things they accuse you of.”
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them
one prisoner whom they requested.
A man called Barabbas was then in prison
along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
The crowd came forward and began to ask him
to do for them as he was accustomed.
Pilate answered,
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
For he knew that it was out of envy
that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd
to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate again said to them in reply,
“Then what do you want me to do
with the man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted again, “Crucify him.”
Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?”
They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,
released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,
handed him over to be crucified.
The soldiers led him away inside the palace,
that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed him in purple and,
weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.
They knelt before him in homage.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the purple cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him out to crucify him.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.
They brought him to the place of Golgotha
-- which is translated Place of the Skull --
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read,
“The King of the Jews.”
With him they crucified two revolutionaries,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying,
“Aha! You who would destroy the temple
and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,
mocked him among themselves and said,
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel,
come down now from the cross
that we may see and believe.”
Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.
At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
which is translated,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“Look, he is calling Elijah.”
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
(Here all kneel and pause for a short time.)
The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
saw how he breathed his last he said,
“Truly this man was the Son of God!”
There were also women looking on from a distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome.
These women had followed him when he was in Galilee
and ministered to him.
There were also many other women
who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When it was already evening,
since it was the day of preparation,
the day before the sabbath, 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.
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.
He summoned the centurion
and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion,
he gave the body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down,
wrapped him in the linen cloth,
and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses
watched where he was laid.
or
As soon as morning came,
the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,
that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
“Have you no answer?
See how many things they accuse you of.”
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them
one prisoner whom they requested.
A man called Barabbas was then in prison
along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
The crowd came forward and began to ask him
to do for them as he was accustomed.
Pilate answered,
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
For he knew that it was out of envy
that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd
to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate again said to them in reply,
“Then what do you want me to do
with the man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted again, “Crucify him.”
Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?”
They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,
released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,
handed him over to be crucified.
The soldiers led him away inside the palace,
that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed him in purple and,
weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.
They knelt before him in homage.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the purple cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him out to crucify him.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.
They brought him to the place of Golgotha
.-which is translated Place of the Skull .-
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read,
“The King of the Jews.”
With him they crucified two revolutionaries,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying,
“Aha! You who would destroy the temple
and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,
mocked him among themselves and said,
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel,
come down now from the cross
that we may see and believe.”
Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.
At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
which is translated,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“Look, he is calling Elijah.”
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
(Here all kneel and pause for a short time.)
The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
saw how he breathed his last he said,
“Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Dear Freepers in Christ,
I had discovered an excellent Homily Site of an orthodox Catholic Priest in Corpus Christi, Texas more than 4 months back.The Priest is Father James Farfaglia from Saint Helena of the True Cross Parish, Corpus Christi-- Texas.
Here is his Homily for Palm Sunday 2006.
In Christ,
Palm Sunday 2006
A Homily Reflection with
Fr. James Farfaglia
St. Helena of the True Cross Parish
Corpus Christi, Texas
http://www.goccn.org/diocese/spcl/reflect.asp
Palm Sunday and Humility
As Holy Week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday and we consider the demands of Christianity, we might be asking ourselves if we can truly live out all that Jesus asks of us. The past five weeks of Lent should have been a profound experience that produced abundant personal fruits of conversion and spiritual progress. Our struggles will continue, but hopefully our Lenten experience has moved us on to a higher level of spiritual growth and development.
When we encounter Jesus and his gospel, we immediately sense that we are dealing with something that is not of this world. To be a Christian is not the same as being a member of an organization. When we join an organization, we make a commitment to the goals and objectives of the organization, but we still have our own private lives that we live outside of the meetings and activities of the organization.
Christianity is essentially different. When we embrace Jesus Christ as the truth, the way, and the life, we are faced with the reality that Jesus encompasses our entire being. Christianity is a way of life.Jesus wants to send his Spirit through every door and window of our soul.Our attachments,like the little Teddy Bears that we hold on to, must be given up.
Pope John Paul the Great once wrote; “It is urgent to rediscover and to set forth once more the authentic reality of the Christian faith, which is not simply a set of propositions to be accepted with intellectual assent. Rather, faith is a lived knowledge of Christ, a living remembrance of his commandments, and a truth to be lived out.A word, in any event, is not truly received until it is put into practice.
Faith is a decision involving one’s whole existence. It is an encounter, a dialogue, a communion of love and of life between the believer and Jesus Christ, the way, and the truth, and the life. It entails an act of trusting abandonment to Christ, which enables us to live as he lived, in profound love of God and of our brothers and sisters” (Veritatis Splendor, 88).
On Palm Sunday, we come face to face with Jesus. Thus, we come face to face with the reality of how we are to live our lives each day.
Jesus, the Savior of the world and the king of the universe was born in the humility of Bethlehem. All throughout the Gospels, he taught his apostles and disciples the importance of humility.
His followers had already heard his piercing words: "blessed are the meek" and "blessed are the peacemakers". But, he continued to affirm the importance of the virtue of humility when he held a child and said: "unless you become like a child, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God". The Apostles continued to struggle with pride and Jesus continued to teach the importance of the basic virtue of humility. "Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave".
When the first Palm Sunday took place, Jesus, the king of heaven and earth, once again gave a lesson of humility. He entered into Jerusalem riding upon a donkey.
His humble entrance in Jerusalem clearly illustrates that God is humble. God in his might, power, and majesty, is also a humble God. He is not like the gods of the ancient Greeks and Romans. He is not like the powerful people of yesterday and today that will do anything in order to gain prestige, power, and money.
Christianity is all-encompassing. The way of life that we are called to live is essentially different from anything known to humanity before the coming of Christ and even after his coming. For this reason, the Incarnation of the Word made flesh is the most unique event in human history.
Msgr. Luigi Giussani, an Italian priest and founder of the ecclesial movement Communion and Liberation wrote; “And this is what sparks hostility to him.While he calls himself ‘master’ and asks to be followed, one can recognize and go with him or decide not to, and there is still room for mere indifference. But when his proposal clearly claims to enter the dominion of our freedom, he is either accepted and it becomes love, or rejected and it becomes hostility.
In order to acknowledge such a claim, the person who lends an ear to it must renounce himself, sacrifice the autonomy of his own criterion and he must do so in such an appreciable way, as only happens through love. If an individual rejects this self-renunciation, then a fundamental aversion sets in, seeking justification in every possible way”.
How can we grow in humility? Let us remember that humility is the basic virtue of the Christian way of life. We cannot believe unless we are humble and we cannot love our neighbor unless we are humble. Humility is a gift, and we have to ask God for this gift through prayer.Secondly, we need to collaborate with grace and do acts of humility.
Obedience to our superiors, be they parents, priests, teachers or bosses at work, is a concrete way to exercise the virtue of humility. Charity is another concrete way to practice humility. Patience, kindness, forgiveness, service, speaking well of others and being a team player are all manifestations of the virtue of humility.
Humble people are people filled with joy and peace. Humble people know how to build community and be team players. Humble people are wonderful to be with because they are forgetful of themselves. Humble people are kind and compassionate to all those around them.
Directly opposed to humility is the capital sin of pride. When pride rules our lives, there are always disastrous consequences. Arguments, divisions, fights, and chaos are just some of the horrible effects of this terrible sin. Presumption, ambition, and vanity are the principal manifestations of pride.
The mysteries surrounding Holy Week offer a contrast between the humility of Jesus and the perverse pride of Caiphas, the Pharisees, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Judas, and all those who cried out that he be crucified.
There are many dimensions to the horrible sin of pride. For example, the presumptuous cultivate an inflated notion of their own consequence. They attribute to themselves those personal traits, abilities, or attributes that they may not really possess.
Those who are overly ambitious yearn to be accounted superior to all others, to dominate them, to impose their own ideas upon them. Ambitious people constantly strive to be singled out, seeking honors and privileges that will set them apart from people that are more commonplace.
The vain desire the esteem of other people. They thirst voraciously for adulation, and they thrive on it. They boast of their own qualities and achievements; ostentatious and pompous in their relationships with others, the vain are prone to hypocrisy, assuming the appearance of virtue in order to cover their vices.
The remedy for pride is the virtue of humility.This is the solution for a world so filled with sin and corruption. Many sectors of our Catholic Church throughout our country need a large dosage of humility. The arrogance of many is blocking the apostolic efficacy of the Church. The Church could be more effective and more relevant in the life of people with leaders who were shinning examples of the humility of Jesus.
As Jesus Christ rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, he does not water down the truth of the revelation that he is the Messiah. He is true God and true Man, the Incarnate Word, the one who was to come not to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus, even though humble, kind, compassionate and gentle, cannot deny the truth of who he is. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The simple and humble people of the Holy Land, came out to proclaim the truth that Jesus is the Lord: Hosanna to the Son of David.Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
And yet, as the multitude proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, there was already at hand a large number of people who had rejected Jesus.They were already getting ready for the first Good Friday.These were the proud who were incapable of believing that Jesus is the Lord. Just like on the first Good Friday, many today refuse to leave aside their pride and fully live the beautiful virtue of humility.Only the humble can experience the loving presence of Jesus in their lives and be true witnesses of the Gospel.
Holy Week is here again.Let us live this week as a holy week.Participate in the Holy Week Triduum with deep faith and spiritual fervor. We are celebrating the central mysteries of our Catholic Faith.
Just awesome! Thank you for posting his homily.
| Mk 14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 1 | Now the feast of the pasch, and of the Azymes was after two days; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might by some wile lay hold on him, and kill him. | erat autem pascha et azyma post biduum et quaerebant summi sacerdotes et scribae quomodo eum dolo tenerent et occiderent |
| 2 | But they said: Not on the festival day, lest there should be a tumult among the people. | dicebant enim non in die festo ne forte tumultus fieret populi |
| 3 | And when he was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, and was at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard: and breaking the alabaster box, she poured it out upon his head. | et cum esset Bethaniae in domo Simonis leprosi et recumberet venit mulier habens alabastrum unguenti nardi spicati pretiosi et fracto alabastro effudit super caput eius |
| 4 | Now there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said: Why was this waste of the ointment made? | erant autem quidam indigne ferentes intra semet ipsos et dicentes ut quid perditio ista unguenti facta est |
| 5 | For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her. | poterat enim unguentum istud veniri plus quam trecentis denariis et dari pauperibus et fremebant in eam |
| 6 | But Jesus said: Let her alone, why do you molest her? She hath wrought a good work upon me. | Iesus autem dixit sinite eam quid illi molesti estis bonum opus operata est in me |
| 7 | For the poor you have always with you: and whensoever you will, you may do them good: but me you have not always. | semper enim pauperes habetis vobiscum et cum volueritis potestis illis benefacere me autem non semper habetis |
| 8 | She hath done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. | quod habuit haec fecit praevenit unguere corpus meum in sepulturam |
| 9 | Amen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memorial of her. | amen dico vobis ubicumque praedicatum fuerit evangelium istud in universum mundum et quod fecit haec narrabitur in memoriam eius |
| 10 | And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them. | et Iudas Scariotis unus de duodecim abiit ad summos sacerdotes ut proderet eum illis |
| 11 | Who hearing it were glad; and they promised him they would give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. | qui audientes gavisi sunt et promiserunt ei pecuniam se daturos et quaerebat quomodo illum oportune traderet |
| 12 | Now on the first day of the unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the pasch, the disciples say to him: Whither wilt thou that we go, and prepare for thee to eat the pasch? | et primo die azymorum quando pascha immolabant dicunt ei discipuli quo vis eamus et paremus tibi ut manduces pascha |
| 13 | And he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith to them: Go ye into the city; and there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water, follow him; | et mittit duos ex discipulis suis et dicit eis ite in civitatem et occurret vobis homo laguenam aquae baiulans sequimini eum |
| 14 | And whithersoever he shall go in, say to the master of the house, The master saith, Where is my refectory, where I may eat the pasch with my disciples? | et quocumque introierit dicite domino domus quia magister dicit ubi est refectio mea ubi pascha cum discipulis meis manducem |
| 15 | And he will shew you a large dining room furnished; and there prepare ye for us. | et ipse vobis demonstrabit cenaculum grande stratum et illic parate nobis |
| 16 | And his disciples went their way, and came into the city; and they found as he had told them, and they prepared the pasch. | et abierunt discipuli eius et venerunt in civitatem et invenerunt sicut dixerat illis et praeparaverunt pascha |
| 17 | And when evening was come, he cometh with the twelve. | vespere autem facto venit cum duodecim |
| 18 | And when they were at table and eating, Jesus saith: Amen I say to you, one of you that eateth with me shall betray me. | et discumbentibus eis et manducantibus ait Iesus amen dico vobis quia unus ex vobis me tradet qui manducat mecum |
| 19 | But they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one: Is it I? | at illi coeperunt contristari et dicere ei singillatim numquid ego |
| 20 | Who saith to them: One of the twelve, who dippeth with me his hand in the dish. | qui ait illis unus ex duodecim qui intinguit mecum in catino |
| 21 | And the Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. | et Filius quidem hominis vadit sicut scriptum est de eo vae autem homini illi per quem Filius hominis traditur bonum ei si non esset natus homo ille |
| 22 | And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body. | et manducantibus illis accepit Iesus panem et benedicens fregit et dedit eis et ait sumite hoc est corpus meum |
| 23 | And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it. | et accepto calice gratias agens dedit eis et biberunt ex illo omnes |
| 24 | And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many. | et ait illis hic est sanguis meus novi testamenti qui pro multis effunditur |
| 25 | Amen I say to you, that I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God. | amen dico vobis quod iam non bibam de genimine vitis usque in diem illum cum illud bibam novum in regno Dei |
| 26 | And when they had said an hymn, they went forth to the mount of Olives. | et hymno dicto exierunt in montem Olivarum |
| 27 | And Jesus saith to them: You will all be scandalized in my regard this night; for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed. | et ait eis Iesus omnes scandalizabimini in nocte ista quia scriptum est percutiam pastorem et dispergentur oves |
| 28 | But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. | sed posteaquam resurrexero praecedam vos in Galilaeam |
| 29 | But Peter saith to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, yet not I. | Petrus autem ait ei et si omnes scandalizati fuerint sed non ego |
| 30 | And Jesus saith to him: Amen I say to thee, today, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shall deny me thrice. | et ait illi Iesus amen dico tibi quia tu hodie in nocte hac priusquam bis gallus vocem dederit ter me es negaturus |
| 31 | But he spoke the more vehemently: Although I should die together with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all. | at ille amplius loquebatur et si oportuerit me simul conmori tibi non te negabo similiter autem et omnes dicebant |
| 32 | And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And he saith to his disciples: Sit you here, while I pray. | et veniunt in praedium cui nomen Gethsemani et ait discipulis suis sedete hic donec orem |
| 33 | And he taketh Peter and James and John with him; and he began to fear and to be heavy. | et adsumit Petrum et Iacobum et Iohannem secum et coepit pavere et taedere |
| 34 | And he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here, and watch. | et ait illis tristis est anima mea usque ad mortem sustinete hic et vigilate |
| 35 | And when he was gone forward a little, he fell flat on the ground; and he prayed, that if it might be, the hour might pass from him. | et cum processisset paululum procidit super terram et orabat ut si fieri posset transiret ab eo hora |
| 36 | And he saith: Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: remove this chalice from me; but not what I will, but what thou wilt. | et dixit Abba Pater omnia possibilia tibi sunt transfer calicem hunc a me sed non quod ego volo sed quod tu |
| 37 | And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping. And he saith to Peter: Simon, sleepest thou? couldst thou not watch one hour? | et venit et invenit eos dormientes et ait Petro Simon dormis non potuisti una hora vigilare |
| 38 | Watch ye, and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. | vigilate et orate ut non intretis in temptationem spiritus quidem promptus caro vero infirma |
| 39 | A going away again, he prayed, saying the same words. | et iterum abiens oravit eundem sermonem dicens |
| 40 | And when he returned, he found them again asleep, (for their eyes were heavy,) and they knew not what to answer him. | et reversus denuo invenit eos dormientes erant enim oculi illorum ingravati et ignorabant quid responderent ei |
| 41 | And he cometh the third time, and saith to them: Sleep ye now, and take your rest. It is enough: the hour is come: behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. | et venit tertio et ait illis dormite iam et requiescite sufficit venit hora ecce traditur Filius hominis in manus peccatorum |
| 42 | Rise up, let us go. Behold, he that will betray me is at hand. | surgite eamus ecce qui me tradit prope est |
| 43 | And while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve: and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients. | et adhuc eo loquente venit Iudas Scarioth unus ex duodecim et cum illo turba cum gladiis et lignis a summis sacerdotibus et a scribis et a senioribus |
| 44 | And he that betrayed him, had given them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; lay hold on him, and lead him away carefully. | dederat autem traditor eius signum eis dicens quemcumque osculatus fuero ipse est tenete eum et ducite |
| 45 | And when he was come, immediately going up to him, he saith: Hail, Rabbi; and he kissed him. | et cum venisset statim accedens ad eum ait rabbi et osculatus est eum |
| 46 | But they laid hands on him, and held him. | at illi manus iniecerunt in eum et tenuerunt eum |
| 47 | An one of them that stood by, drawing a sword, struck a servant of the chief priest, and cut off his ear. | unus autem quidam de circumstantibus educens gladium percussit servum summi sacerdotis et amputavit illi auriculam |
| 48 | And Jesus answering, said to them: Are you come out as to a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me? | et respondens Iesus ait illis tamquam ad latronem existis cum gladiis et lignis conprehendere me |
| 49 | I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on me. But that the scriptures may be fulfilled. | cotidie eram apud vos in templo docens et non me tenuistis sed ut adimpleantur scripturae |
| 50 | Then his disciples leaving him, all fled away. | tunc discipuli eius relinquentes eum omnes fugerunt |
| 51 | And a certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and they laid hold on him. | adulescens autem quidam sequebatur illum amictus sindone super nudo et tenuerunt eum |
| 52 | But he, casting off the linen cloth, fled from them naked. | at ille reiecta sindone nudus profugit ab eis |
| 53 | And they brought Jesus to the high priest; and all the priests and the scribes and the ancients assembled together. | et adduxerunt Iesum ad summum sacerdotem et conveniunt omnes sacerdotes et scribae et seniores |
| 54 | And Peter followed him from afar off, even into the court of the high priest; and he sat with the servants at the fire, and warmed himself. | Petrus autem a longe secutus est eum usque intro in atrium summi sacerdotis et sedebat cum ministris et calefaciebat se ad ignem |
| 55 | And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and found none. | summi vero sacerdotes et omne concilium quaerebant adversum Iesum testimonium ut eum morti traderent nec inveniebant |
| 56 | For many bore false witness against him, and their evidences were not agreeing. | multi enim testimonium falsum dicebant adversus eum et convenientia testimonia non erant |
| 57 | And some rising up, bore false witness against him, saying: | et quidam surgentes falsum testimonium ferebant adversus eum dicentes |
| 58 | We heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another not made with hands. | quoniam nos audivimus eum dicentem ego dissolvam templum hoc manufactum et per triduum aliud non manufactum aedificabo |
| 59 | And their witness did not agree. | et non erat conveniens testimonium illorum |
| 60 | And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men? | et exsurgens summus sacerdos in medium interrogavit Iesum dicens non respondes quicquam ad ea quae tibi obiciuntur ab his |
| 61 | But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him: Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed God? | ille autem tacebat et nihil respondit rursum summus sacerdos interrogabat eum et dicit ei tu es Christus Filius Benedicti |
| 62 | And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven. | Iesus autem dixit illi ego sum et videbitis Filium hominis a dextris sedentem Virtutis et venientem cum nubibus caeli |
| 63 | Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses? | summus autem sacerdos scindens vestimenta sua ait quid adhuc desideramus testes |
| 64 | You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned him to be guilty of death. | audistis blasphemiam quid vobis videtur qui omnes condemnaverunt eum esse reum mortis |
| 65 | And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him: Prophesy: and the servants struck him with the palms of their hands. | et coeperunt quidam conspuere eum et velare faciem eius et colaphis eum caedere et dicere ei prophetiza et ministri alapis eum caedebant |
| 66 | Now when Peter was in the court below, there cometh one of the maidservants of the high priest. | et cum esset Petrus in atrio deorsum venit una ex ancillis summi sacerdotis |
| 67 | And when she had seen Peter warming himself, looking on him she saith: Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. | et cum vidisset Petrum calefacientem se aspiciens illum ait et tu cum Iesu Nazareno eras |
| 68 | But he denied, saying: I neither know nor understand what thou sayest. And he went forth before the court; and the cock crew. | at ille negavit dicens neque scio neque novi quid dicas et exiit foras ante atrium et gallus cantavit |
| 69 | And again a maidservant seeing him, began to say to the standers by: This is one of them. | rursus autem cum vidisset illum ancilla coepit dicere circumstantibus quia hic ex illis est |
| 70 | But he denied again. And after a while they that stood by said again to Peter: Surely thou art one of them; for thou art also a Galilean. | at ille iterum negavit et post pusillum rursus qui adstabant dicebant Petro vere ex illis es nam et Galilaeus es |
| 71 | But he began to curse and to swear, saying; I know not this man of whom you speak. | ille autem coepit anathematizare et iurare quia nescio hominem istum quem dicitis |
| 72 | And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me. And he began to weep. | et statim iterum gallus cantavit et recordatus est Petrus verbi quod dixerat ei Iesus priusquam gallus cantet bis ter me negabis et coepit flere |
| Mk 15 | ||
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| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 1 | And straightway in the morning, the chief priests holding a consultation with the ancients and the scribes and the whole council, binding Jesus, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate. | et confestim mane consilium facientes summi sacerdotes cum senioribus et scribis et universo concilio vincientes Iesum duxerunt et tradiderunt Pilato |
| 2 | And Pilate asked him: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, saith to him: Thou sayest it. | et interrogavit eum Pilatus tu es rex Iudaeorum at ille respondens ait illi tu dicis |
| 3 | And the chief priests accused him in many things. | et accusabant eum summi sacerdotes in multis |
| 4 | And Pilate again asked him, saying: Answerest thou nothing? behold in how many things they accuse thee. | Pilatus autem rursum interrogavit eum dicens non respondes quicquam vide in quantis te accusant |
| 5 | But Jesus still answered nothing; so that Pilate wondered. | Iesus autem amplius nihil respondit ita ut miraretur Pilatus |
| 6 | Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded. | per diem autem festum dimittere solebat illis unum ex vinctis quemcumque petissent |
| 7 | And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder. | erat autem qui dicebatur Barabbas qui cum seditiosis erat vinctus qui in seditione fecerant homicidium |
| 8 | And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do, as he had ever done unto them. | et cum ascendisset turba coepit rogare sicut semper faciebat illis |
| 9 | And Pilate answered them, and said: Will you that I release to you the king of the Jews? | Pilatus autem respondit eis et dixit vultis dimittam vobis regem Iudaeorum |
| 10 | For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy. | sciebat enim quod per invidiam tradidissent eum summi sacerdotes |
| 11 | But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them. | pontifices autem concitaverunt turbam ut magis Barabban dimitteret eis |
| 12 | And Pilate again answering, saith to them: What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews? | Pilatus autem iterum respondens ait illis quid ergo vultis faciam regi Iudaeorum |
| 13 | But they again cried out: Crucify him. | at illi iterum clamaverunt crucifige eum |
| 14 | And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more: Crucify him. | Pilatus vero dicebat eis quid enim mali fecit at illi magis clamabant crucifige eum |
| 15 | And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. | Pilatus autem volens populo satisfacere dimisit illis Barabban et tradidit Iesum flagellis caesum ut crucifigeretur |
| 16 | And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace, and they called together the whole band: | milites autem duxerunt eum intro in atrium praetorii et convocant totam cohortem |
| 17 | And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him. | et induunt eum purpuram et inponunt ei plectentes spineam coronam |
| 18 | And they began to salute him: Hail, king of the Jews. | et coeperunt salutare eum have rex Iudaeorum |
| 19 | And they struck his head with a reed: and they did spit on him. And bowing their knees, they adored him. | et percutiebant caput eius harundine et conspuebant eum et ponentes genua adorabant eum |
| 20 | And after they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own garments on him, and they led him out to crucify him. | et postquam inluserunt ei exuerunt illum purpuram et induerunt eum vestimentis suis et educunt illum ut crucifigerent eum |
| 21 | And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross. | et angariaverunt praetereuntem quempiam Simonem Cyreneum venientem de villa patrem Alexandri et Rufi ut tolleret crucem eius |
| 22 | And they bring him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary. | et perducunt illum in Golgotha locum quod est interpretatum Calvariae locus |
| 23 | And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh; but he took it not. | et dabant ei bibere murratum vinum et non accepit |
| 24 | And crucifying him, they divided his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. | et crucifigentes eum diviserunt vestimenta eius mittentes sortem super eis quis quid tolleret |
| 25 | And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. | erat autem hora tertia et crucifixerunt eum |
| 26 | And the inscription of his cause was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS. | et erat titulus causae eius inscriptus rex Iudaeorum |
| 27 | And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. | et cum eo crucifigunt duos latrones unum a dextris et alium a sinistris eius |
| 28 | And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And with the wicked he was reputed. | et adimpleta est scriptura quae dicit et cum iniquis reputatus est |
| 29 | And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days buildest it up again; | et praetereuntes blasphemabant eum moventes capita sua et dicentes va qui destruit templum et in tribus diebus aedificat |
| 30 | Save thyself, coming down from the cross. | salvum fac temet ipsum descendens de cruce |
| 31 | In like manner also the chief priests mocking, said with the scribes one to another: He saved others; himself he cannot save. | similiter et summi sacerdotes ludentes ad alterutrum cum scribis dicebant alios salvos fecit se ipsum non potest salvum facere |
| 32 | Let Christ the king of Israel come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. | Christus rex Israhel descendat nunc de cruce ut videamus et credamus et qui cum eo crucifixi erant conviciabantur ei |
| 33 | And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. | et facta hora sexta tenebrae factae sunt per totam terram usque in horam nonam |
| 34 | And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? | et hora nona exclamavit Iesus voce magna dicens Heloi Heloi lama sabacthani quod est interpretatum Deus meus Deus meus ut quid dereliquisti me |
| 35 | And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold he calleth Elias. | et quidam de circumstantibus audientes dicebant ecce Heliam vocat |
| 36 | And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar, and putting it upon a reed, gave him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take him down. | currens autem unus et implens spongiam aceto circumponensque calamo potum dabat ei dicens sinite videamus si veniat Helias ad deponendum eum |
| 37 | And Jesus having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost. | Iesus autem emissa voce magna exspiravit |
| 38 | And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. | et velum templi scissum est in duo a sursum usque deorsum |
| 39 | And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost, said: Indeed this man was the son of God. | videns autem centurio qui ex adverso stabat quia sic clamans exspirasset ait vere homo hic Filius Dei erat |
| 40 | And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph, and Salome: | erant autem et mulieres de longe aspicientes inter quas et Maria Magdalene et Maria Iacobi minoris et Ioseph mater et Salome |
| 41 | Who also when he was in Galilee followed him, and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem. | et cum esset in Galilaea sequebantur eum et ministrabant ei et aliae multae quae simul cum eo ascenderant Hierosolyma |
| 42 | And when evening was now come, (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath,) | et cum iam sero esset factum quia erat parasceve quod est ante sabbatum |
| 43 | Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. | venit Ioseph ab Arimathia nobilis decurio qui et ipse erat expectans regnum Dei et audacter introiit ad Pilatum et petiit corpus Iesu |
| 44 | But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. | Pilatus autem mirabatur si iam obisset et accersito centurione interrogavit eum si iam mortuus esset |
| 45 | And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. | et cum cognovisset a centurione donavit corpus Ioseph |
| 46 | And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre. | Ioseph autem mercatus sindonem et deponens eum involvit sindone et posuit eum in monumento quod erat excisum de petra et advolvit lapidem ad ostium monumenti |
| 47 | And Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of Joseph, beheld where he was laid. | Maria autem Magdalene et Maria Ioseph aspiciebant ubi poneretur |
Wonderful picture!
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Pray for A Voice in the Desert
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By this we know love, |
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Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA This action of the Archbishop is not related to any scandal We regret any inconvenience and humbly ask for your prayers. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn |
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Sunday, April 09, 2006 Meditation Mark 14:1–15:47 Passion Sunday Today we not only celebrate our redemption, we begin a week-long celebration of Jesus’ love. This is not a week for sorrow but for gratitude, joy, and hope. St. Mark tells us that as Jesus breathed his last, the veil in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Mark 15:37-38). This veil was a thick curtain that separated the people from the holiest and most sacred portion of the Temple (Exodus 26:31-35). So by tearing this veil, God was making a powerful statement: There was no longer any separation between him and his people. Just as the veil in the temple separated the people from the presence and holiness of God, so did a thick veil of guilt and sin hang between us and our Creator. But when Jesus died, this veil was also torn from top (heaven) to bottom (earth). The way to heaven was opened, and God’s life and love were free to flow to every one of us. Now, finally, we all can hear his voice and experience his presence personally. This sounds so wonderful, and yet each of us has known the feeling of separation or distance from God. Veils can still shroud our lives, blocking our access to the Father’s throne. But Jesus wants to tear apart these veils during this Holy Week. He wants to remove the obstacles that still exist between us and his heavenly Father. We have only to come to him and ask. The whole reason Jesus died was so that we could gaze on his glory and be filled with his love. So don’t mourn this week. Instead, open your heart to Jesus. Don’t be sad. Be hopeful. Be humble. Be joyful! God can remove every veil that keeps you from being transformed into his image—and he can do it this very week! “Jesus, words fail me when I look at your cross. All I can do is praise you for your love and ask you to come and rend the veils in my life. Lord, I want to see your glory and be made more like you!” Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24;Philippians 2:6-11 |
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 109 (110) |
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| The Messiah, king and priest |
| The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”. From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn. The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”. The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings. He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls; he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Psalm 113B (115) |
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| Praise of the true God |
| Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your own name give the glory, because of your kindness and faithfulness. Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens, and what he wills, he does. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths but do not speak, they have eyes but do not see. They have ears but do not hear, they have nostrils but do not smell. They have hands but they do not feel, they have feet but they do not walk; no voice comes from their throats. Their makers will be like them, and all who put their trust in them. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. The house of Aaron trusts in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. All who fear the Lord trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. The Lord has remembered us and he will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron – he will bless all who fear the Lord. May the Lord add to your numbers and to those of your children. May the Lord bless you, the Lord who made heaven and earth. The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth he has given to men. It is not the dead who will praise you, O Lord, nor those who go down into the silence; but we, who live, will bless the Lord, now and for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Canticle | 1 Peter 2 |
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| Christ's passion, freely chosen | |
| Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, to follow in his path. He committed no sin, in his speech there was no deceit; when they cursed him, he did not curse them; when he suffered, he did not threaten retribution, but committed them to the one just judge. He endured our sins in the sufferings of his body on the tree, so that we would die to our sins and live for righteousness – and by his bruises you have been healed. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here. |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
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| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 90 (91) |
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| The protection of the Most High |
| He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night. |
| He who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells under the shade of the Almighty. He will say to the Lord: “You are my shelter and my strength, my God, in whom I trust”. For he will free you from the hunter’s snare, from the voice of the slanderer. He will shade you with his wings, you will hide underneath his wings. His faithfulness will be your armour and your shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; nor the plague that walks in the shadows, nor the death that lays waste at noon. A thousand will fall at your side, at your right hand ten thousand will fall, but you it will never come near. You will look with your eyes and see the reward of sinners. For the Lord is your shelter and refuge; you have made the Most High your dwelling-place. Evil will not reach you, harm cannot approach your tent; for he has set his angels to guard you and keep you safe in all your ways. They will carry you in their arms in case you hurt your foot on a stone. You walk on the viper and cobra, you will tread on the lion and the serpent. Because he clung to me, I shall free him: I shall lift him up because he knows my name. He will call upon me and for my part, I will hear him: I am with him in his time of trouble. I shall rescue him and lead him to glory. I shall fill him with length of days and show him my salvation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night. |
| Reading | Apocalypse 22:4-5 |
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| They will see the face of the Lord, and his name will be marked on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need sunlight or lamp-light, because the Lord God himself will shine upon them. And they will reign for ever and ever. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
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| Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Prayer | |
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| Let us pray. Today we have celebrated the mystery of the Christ’s resurrection, and so now we humbly ask you, Lord, that we may rest in your peace, far from all harm, and rise rejoicing and giving praise to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
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| The Turning of the Tide |
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| 04/10/06 |
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We now come to the Sunday with a split personality. It starts with an upbeat gospel recounting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is a festive affair, complete with a parade route strewn with palm branches instead of ticker tape. |
From: Isaiah 50:4-7
Third Song of the Servant of the Lord
From: Mark 11:1-10 (Gospel 1)
The Messiah Enters Jerusalem
Yesterday (Friday) He came with His disciples from the desert village of Ephrem to Jericho. When near the Jordan we heard from His lips the third prophecy of the crucifixion. Then Salome approached with her two sons, John and James, and begged important positions for them in the coming kingdom. This gave Jesus the opportunity to proclaim His wonderful teaching on humility. We stand close and listen.
The Lord enters Jericho. I am Zacheus, the chief publican, the little man who wants to see the Messiah from a tree. He looks up to me and says, "Today salvation has come to your house!" He stays two nights with me, a despised publican!
Over the Sabbath Jesus remains in Jericho. The next day (Sunday) He starts for Jerusalem at the head of a lordly caravan. Along the road there sits a blind beggar. It is I, again. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on mel" He heals my eyes, I see, I am enlightened!
In procession we pass through Jericho's inhospitable ravines up to Jerusalem. Night intervenes and Jesus stops at Bethany. He is joyously welcomed by Martha and Mary. Am I an active Martha or a meditating Mary? Possibly it was on this Sunday evening that the memorable meal took place when, with Lazarus present and Martha as hostess, Mary poured out the costly ointment for Jesus' burial. It was the act which estranged Judas completely from his Master.
In solemn procession on Monday afternoon the King of Israel comes to the top of Olivet, weeps over Jerusalem, and then continues on to the temple. We feel ourselves part of this festive procession, waving palms in our hands. We accompany our King and watch Him drive the money-changers out of His Father's house. Tuesday morning He returns with His disciples and while crossing Mt. Olivet curses the unfruitful fig tree, a figure of the Jewish people. This barren tree is likewise a warning for us.
Verbal encounters with the Jews take place in the temple courtyard until Wednesday afternoon when Christ hurls His eightfold curse upon Pharisee and Jew, and leaves the temple forever. With His disciples He then proceeds to the Mount of Olives and delivers His powerful discourse on the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem. Present in spirit we hear this sermon and take to heart His final admonition, "Be vigilant!" Meanwhile Judas has left the circle of disciples and offers his assistance to the chief priests.
Thursday morning Christ sends Peter and John from Bethany into the city to make the needed preparation for the Passover meal. As evening falls He bids farewell to His mother and His friends and goes with His apostles to the Upper Room in Jerusalem for His "Last Supper" with them.—In mind and in heart we will follow our Blessed Lord closely during these sacred days of Holy Week.
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The Archbishop's Response - with a commentary
