Let us pray



(Taken from “Celebrating the Word”, prepared by Brother John Cline, C.R.)PALM {PASSION} SUNDAYSunday, April 5, 2020Introduction:Every once in a while, our routine lives and expectations are suddenly and drastically shattered by hard reality. Not long ago the news media reported instances that remind us that there are no guaranties in life and we never know how much time we have left. An airliner was shot out of the sky by missiles and innocent civilians perished. Then closer to home a helicopter crashed in California killing parents and children travelling to a basketball game. Now the Coronavirus is spreading globally and killing so many innocent people. We don’t know how long we will be on this earth but we can know God has a purpose for us; God calls us to love. And today as we begin Holy Week we have wonderful signs of God’s love. Jesus’ ministry to the blind, deaf, lame, and those on the margins, sinners and tax collectors, earned Him a great following. Many wanted to make Jesus a king and a large throng joyfully welcomed Him into Jerusalem on a day now known as Palm Sunday. But only days later crowds were clamouring for crucifixion and death. Jesus’ reputation for compassion, good works, healing, and religious leadership were overshadowed by the opinion of failure and feelings of fear and jealousy.Warm-up Activity: There were many different people who are present at the crucifixion of Jesus. You are invited to place yourself in the shoes of those surrounding Jesus during those last hours of His life. For each, think about what it is that makes you uncomfortable.i) The bystanders (perhaps including former followers) shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” ii) The soldiers who put a crown of thorns on His head and mocked Him.iii) Pilate, who ultimately determined Jesus’ fate. iv) The two revolutionaries who reviled and abused Him.Let us pray Lord God, your Servant speaks the Word that all the weary long to hear. As we enter this Holy Week, let the same mind be in usthat was in Christ Jesus. Empty us of ourselves, and draw us close to His cross, that we may find in the obedience of Christ the strength to drink of the cup that did not pass Him by. We ask this through your Son, the Christ, our Passover and Peace, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever. Amen.SCRIPTURE REFLECTION TIME(As Christians we believe that the WORD of God we hear proclaimed on Sunday is an empowering Word, and that God is present in the Word proclaimed. Reflecting on our life-story within the context of this Word, and sharing the insights of these reflections, is such that God’s Spirit becomes present, and the gifts of the Spirit are experienced as empowering and life-giving.) FIRST READING (Isaiah 50:4–7)The servant of the Lord said: “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore, I have not been disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.SECOND READING (Philippians 2:6–11)Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Therefore, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.GOSPEL (Full text: Matthew 26:14–27:66) The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to releasing a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time, they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So, after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So, when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So, he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” The Passion of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.(You are invited to pause for a few moments of silence, then identify a word or phrase from the readings that struck you).COMMENTARY:1st Reading: In the middle section of the book of Isaiah, chapters 40-55, there are four passages scholars have called the Songs of The Suffering Servant. Our reading today is the third of these Songs which speaks of one who will suffer and bring benefit to the people. Jesus saw aspects of his life and mission in the Servant Songs. The prophet proclaimed the servant, in his suffering and rejection, would put his trust in God. And as Jesus went about “His Father’s business,” He was willing to trust that God would be with Him—even in suffering and death. In the psalm, Ps. 22, the psalmist expresses abandonment and yet places his trust in God. Jesus displays confidence in God’s protection in the midst of his trial and crucifixion. His trust in God was not in vain. This is another way of affirming that in the end Yahweh accepts the helpless in their helplessness and suffering even more than He does the strong. 2nd Reading: The second reading contains early text from the New Testament. Paul learned it from Christian converts and wrote it in his letter to the Philippians. This hymn to Christ depends heavily upon the “Servant Songs”. We can identify a common pattern in both Isa 52:13-53:12 and Phil 2: 6-11 (notice that it is indented in your Bible, indicating that Paul is using a hymn that has already circulated well before the writing of his letter). In each case, the servant in Isaiah, and Jesus in the Philippians text, follows the will of God, in obedience, becoming lowly even to death. This faithful service in the face of unjust persecution leads to blessing from God. The servant/Jesus gave themselves up to suffering and death for the sake of others and both are justified, vindicated, and exalted in the end. In other words, this hymn in Philippians uses the “suffering servant” of Isaiah to understand Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection. Jesus fulfills the prophetic image in Isaiah, and the Philippians hymn was used to instruct and illustrate their image of who Christ was. Christians reading this passage today are joined with the first people who ever pondered the meaning of Jesus’ life and mission. We’re singing their song, reciting their creed, during this special time of the year when we remember the most important things Our Lord did.Gospel Reading: Our reading is a story of betrayal, suffering and death; but more importantly it conveys faith and trust. Raymond Brown in “The Passion According to Mathew”, A Crucified Christ in Holy Week, writes of the deeper meaning found in the characters in the narrative. He notes their inconsistencies, denials, and desertion as contrasted with their earlier profession, allegiance and commitment. What is the response? It is important to note the last words of Jesus and to remember He was a good Jew who would have known and prayed the psalms. His anguished cry out to God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” may well have reflected the suffering of the protagonist in Ps. 22, the last lines of which express trust in and praise for God. Jesus revealed how God wants us to treat others, aligning Himself especially with the marginalized. Those who follow Jesus, especially in their attentiveness to the less fortunate, will continue to hope, even in suffering, that God will be with them raising them to new life, just as God continued to be with Jesus, raising Him to new life, overcoming death itself.QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:1. (Isaiah 5:7). “The Lord helps me; therefore, I have not been disgraced…” With this in mind, recall an experience of failure or embarrassment. How did you handle the situation? On a given day, what are some of the common, little things that tend to “mess up” your day? At home? At work? At recreation? How do you deal with these experiences?Recall an experience of when you had to undergo some suffering because you made a choice to do what was good and right.2. (Philippians 2:4 “…he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.” Think of a time in your life when you experienced being “disconnected” or “humbled” or “shamed” and you felt you did not deserve it. How did you manage it?Take a few moments to think about the quality of your relationship with God. Would you say that your God is a “God of emergencies only” or a God who as close as a heartbeat? How often in the course of a day/week do you reflect on this special Person and this relationship?3. (Matt. 26:15) “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” Considering the actions of Judas and Peter, which do you consider to be the more serious? How would you explain the contrasting responses in Judas and Peter? 3. Intercessions: (Response: Lord, hear our prayer)That the church, teaching and witnessing in the name of Jesus, may strengthen the weary and suffering with a word of courage and hope, we pray…That the healing hand of God may touch our world in this time of Covid 19, we pray ...For all health care workers and support staff, in thanksgiving for all they do to keep us healthy, we pray ... For civil authorities to be open and listen to the voices that cry out for dignity and for peace, we pray…Many face insult and degradation because of race, belief, or political conviction; may they be supported by all of us who are the disciples of the Lord, we pray…As we enter Holy Week and the Triduum, may we, too, empty ourselves as Jesus did, we pray…Lord, you experienced change from a joyous reception with palms to demands for death; make us grow in hope as we encounter life’s upsetting challenges, we pray…Jesus our brother, you were faithful to the Father’s love and plan; give us large hearts perseverance, and compassion for those who suffer, we pray…Lord, rejection, abuse, and accusation did not reduce your commitment; make us singlehearted in our care for others, we pray…That Jews, Muslims and Christians all over the world, mindful of our common God and of Abraham, our common ancestor in faith, may not give up on the quest for justice and peace, and find ways to live together in peace, acceptance, forgiveness and love, we pray…Risen Lord, fill with hope the hearts of those who are tested by pain and illness, we pray... Let us pray As we near the end of Lent’s forty-day journey,take our sin away by Christ’s glorious Passion, that we,who have so often denied and deserted the Lord, may not yield to despairbut repent and renew our discipleship, so that when we proclaim the name of Jesus,every knee shall bend and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.We ask this through your Son, the Christ, our Passover and Peace, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever. Amen. OUR FATHER… ................
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