Sunday Gospel ReflectionsPassion Sunday
Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-7 II: Philipians 2:6-11
Gospel Mark 14:1-15:47 By the sheer length of the Passion narrative, we only look at some significant moments.
Interesting Details
- The anointing points to Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah. Anointing for burial is not her intent; that is how Jesus chose.
- While the chief priests are afraid to arrest Jesus, one of the twelve offers to deliver him for a small sum of money thereby changing their fear into jubilant anticipation.
- Jesus' prediction in (v.27) using an Old Testament quotation becomes reality in (v.50)
- Jesus looks beyond his death and promises that the scattered flock will be gathered again. "I will go before" may be taken as "I will lead you".
- Judas is not the only failure, "all" will fail in their measure:
14:23 They "all" drank from the cup
14:27 You will "all" fall away
14:31 they "all" protested
14:50 and they "all" ran away - Peter's denials gradually become more serious and complete:
- At first, he pretends innocence.
- Then, he denies that he is a follower of Jesus.
- Finally, he curses and swears the he does not even know Jesus. - Jesus' mission starts with an encounter with the tempter (1:12) and ends with a final and decisive temptation: to eliminate suffering from his messianic way.
- Jesus refuses to take the drugged wine as a means to lessen the torment in order to fully drink the "cup" of suffering.
- Jesus dies in the midst of two sinners instead of James and John who had requested to "sit one at your right and the other at your left" (10:37)
- By refusing to come down from the cross, by not saving his life, Jesus brings the temple to an end (15:38) and builds the new temple (14:58)
- The rending of the curtain of the temple may be symbolic that the privilege of Israel has come to an end and through Jesus a free access to God is open to all.
- Jesus dies in total desolation: deserted by his disciples, taunted by his enemies, mocked by those hung with him and worst of all, abandoned by God.
- The presence of the women sharply contrasts with the absence of the twelve disciples.
One Main Point Jesus stands as a lonely figure throughout this Passion account. His hour had come. He had to suffer alone before he could come to glory.
Reflections
- With which one person could you best relate, or with whom would you identify yourself? Why?
- Mark's Passion account is called the greatest instruction on discipleship. Why?