Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Date: March 28, 2010

Gospel (Luke 19: 28–40)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, close to the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples with these instructions, "Go to the village opposite and as you enter it you will find a colt tied up that no one has yet ridden: untie it and bring it here. And if anyone says to you: 'Why are you untying this colt?' You shall give this answer: 'The Master needs it.'" So the two disciples went and found things just as Jesus had stated. As they were untying the colt, the owner asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" And they answered, "The Master needs it." So they brought it Jesus and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they mounted Jesus on it. And as he went down, people spread their cloaks on the road. When Jesus came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road slopes down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen, and they cried out, "Blessed is he who comes as king in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and Glory in the highest heavens." Some Pharisees in the crowd stated to Jesus, "Master, rebuke your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if they were to remain silent, the stones would cry out."

First Reading (Isaiah 50: 4–7)

A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The Lord God has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary. Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord God has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn. I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace. I have not despaired, for the Lord God comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.

Second Reading (Philippians 2: 6–11)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.

Christ Jesus, though being divine in nature, he did not claim in face equality with God, but emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in his appearance found as a man. He humbled himself by being obedient to death, even death on the cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel (Luke 22:14 – 23:56)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table and the apostles with him. And he stated to them, "I was eager to eat this passover with you before I suffer; for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then they passed him a cup and when he had given thanks he stated, "Take this and share it among yourselves: for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the grape of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Jesus also took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after eating, "This cup is the new covenant, sealed in my blood which is poured out for you. Yet the hand of the traitor is with me on the table. Know that the Son of Man is going the way marked out for him. But alas for that one who betrays him!" They began to ask one another which of them could do such a thing. They also began to argue among themselves which of them should be considered the most important. And Jesus stated, "The kings of the pagan nations rule over them as lords, and the most hard-hearted claim the title, 'Gracious Lord.' But not so with you; let the greatest among you become the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is the greatest, he who sits at the table or he who serves? He who is seated, isn't it? Yet I am among you as the one who serves. You are the ones who have been with me and stood by my through my troubles; because of this, just as the kingship has been given to me by my Father, so I give it to you. You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones and govern the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded to sift you like grain, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have recovered you shall strengthen your brothers." Then Peter stated, "Lord, with you I am ready to go even to prison and death." But Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." Jesus additionally stated to them, "When I sent you without a purse or bag or sandals, were you short of anything?" They answered, "No." And Jesus stated to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and a bag as well. And if anyone is without a sword, let him sell his cloak to buy one. For Scriptures says: He was numbered among criminals. These words had to be fulfilled in me, and now everything written about me is taking place." Then they stated, "See, Lord, here are two swords," but he answered, "That is enough." After this Jesus left to go as usual to the Mount of Olives and the disciples followed him. When he came to the place, he told them, "Pray that you may not be put to the test." Then he went a little further, about a stone's throw, and kneeling down he prayed, "Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me; still not my will but yours be done." And an angel from heaven appeared to give him strength. As he was in agony, he prayed even more earnestly and great drops of blood formed like sweat and fell to the ground. When he rose from prayer, he went to his disciples but found them worn out with grief, and asleep. And he stated to them, "Why do you sleep? Get up and pray so that you may not be put to the test." Jesus was still speaking when a group appeared and the man named Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, and Jesus stated to him, "Did you need this kiss to betray the Son of Man?" Those with Jesus seeing what would happen, stated to Jesus, "Master, shall we use the sword?" And one of them struck the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus stopped him, "No more of this." He touched the man's ear and healed him. Then Jesus spoke to those coming against him, the chief priests, officers of the Temple and elders and he stated to them, "Did you really set out against a robber? Do you need swords and clubs to arrest me? Day after day I was among you teaching in the Temple and you did not arrest me. But this is the hour of the power of darkness; this is your hour." Then the people seized Jesus and took him away, bring him to the High Priest's house. Peter followed at a distance. A fire was kindled in the middle of the courtyard where people gathered, and Peter sat among them. A maidservant noticed him. Looking at him intently in the light of the fire, she exclaimed, "This man also was with him!" But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone who saw him stated, "You are also one of them!" Peter replied, "My friend, I am not!" After about an hour another asserted, "Surely this man was with him, for he is a Galilean." Again Peter denied, "My friend, I don't know what you are talking about." He had not finished saying this when a cock crowed. The Lord turned around and looked at Peter and he remembered the word that the Lord had spoke, "Before the cock crows today you will have denied me three times." Peter went outside, weeping bitterly. Meanwhile the guards were mocking and beating Jesus. They blindfolded him, struck him and then asked, "Who hit you? Tell us, prophet." And they hurled many other insulting words at him. At daybreak, the council of the elders of the people, among whom were the chief priests and the scribes, assembled again. Then they had Jesus brought before them, and they began questioning him: "Tell us, are you the Christ?" Jesus replied, "You will not believe if I tell you, and neither will you answer if I ask you. Yet from now on the Son of Man will have his seat at the right hand of the Mighty God." In chorus they asked, "So you are the Son of God?" And Jesus stated to them, "You are right, I am." Then they stated, "What need have we of witnesses? We have heard it from his own lips." The whole council rose and brought Jesus to Pilate. They gave their accusation: "We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ the king." Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You say so." Turning to the chief priests and the crowd, Pilate announced, "I find no basis for a case against this man." But they insisted, "All the country of the Jews is being stirred up with his teaching. He began in Galilee and now he has come all the way here." When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. Finding the accused to come under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus over to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was delighted to have Jesus before him now; for a long time he had wanted to see him because of the reports about him, and he was hoping to see Jesus work some miracle. He piled up question upon question, but got no reply from Jesus. All the while the chief priests and the scribes remained standing there, vehemently pressing their accusations. Finally, Herod ridiculed him and with his guards mocked him. And when he had put a rich cloak on him, he sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod who were enemies before, became friends from that day. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the elder before all the people, and announced to them, "You have brought this man before me and accused him of subversion. In your presence I have examined him and found no basis for your charges. And neither has Herod, for he sent him back to me. It is quite clear that this man has done nothing that deserves a death sentence. I will therefore have him scourged and then release him." (On the Passover, Pilate had to release one prisoner.) Howling as one man, they protested: "No! Away with this man! Release Barabbas instead." This man had been thrown into prison for an uprising in the city and for murder. Since Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he appealed to the crowd once more, but they shouted back, "To the cross with him! To the cross!" A third time Pilate asked them, "Why? What evil has he done? Since no crime deserving death has been proved, I shall have him scourged and let him go." But they went on shouting, insisting, and demanding that Jesus ought to be crucified, plus their shouts grew louder. So Pilate decided to pass the sentence they demanded. He released Barabbas, the prisoner the crowd asked for emancipation. Barabbas was in prison for rebellion and murder. Pilate then delivered Jesus in accordance with the crowd's wishes. When they led Jesus away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the fields, and laid the cross on him, to carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed him; among them were women beating their breast and wailing for him, but Jesus turned to them and stated, "Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when people will say: 'Happy are the women without child! Happy are those who have not given birth or nursed a child! And they will say to the mountains: Fall on us! And to the hills: Cover us!' For if this is the lot of the green wood, what will happen to the dry?" Along with Jesus, two criminals also were led out to be executed. There at the place called The Skull he was crucified together with the criminals - one on his right and another on his left. Jesus stated, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." And the guards cast lots to divide his clothes among themselves. The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, "Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!" The soldiers also mocked him and when they drew near to offer him bitter wine, they stated, "So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!" For above him was inscription which read, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, "So you are the Messiah? Save yourself and us as well!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong." And he stated, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, you will be with me today in paradise." It was now about noon. The sun was hidden and darkness came over the whole land until mid-afternoon, because of an eclipse of the sun. At that time the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two. Then Jesus gave a loud cry, "Father into your hands I commend my spirit." And saying that, he gave up his spirit. The captain on seeing what had happened, acknowledged the hand of God. He stated, "Surely, this was an upright man." And all the people who had gathered to watch the spectacle, as soon as they saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts. Only those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, especially the women who had followed him from Galilee; they witnessed all this. Then intervened a member of the Jewish supreme council, a good and righteous man named Joseph from the Judean town of Arimathea. He had not agreed with the decision and action of his fellow members, for he lived uprightly in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He then took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a yet unused tomb cut out of a rock. It was Preparation Day and the star which marks the beginning of the sabbath was shining. So the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph to see the tomb and how his body was being placed. And returning home, they prepared perfumes and ointments. Finally, the women rested on the sabbath, according to the commandment.

5th Sunday of Lent

Date: March 21, 2010

First reading (Isaiah 43: 16-21)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the Lord, who opened a way through the sea and a path in the mighty waters, who brought down chariots and horses, a whole army of them, and there they lay, never to rise again, snuffed out like a wick. But do not dwell on the past, or remember the things of old. Look, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not see? I am opening up a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the land will honor me, jackals and ostriches, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert that my chosen people may drink. I have formed these people for myself; they will proclaim my praise.

Second reading (Philippians 3: 8-14)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
Brothers and sisters: I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have let everything fall away and I know consider all as garbage, if instead I may gain Christ. May I be found in him, without merit or holiness of my own for having fulfilled the Law, but with the holiness which comes through faith in Christ, the holiness given by God which depends on faith in Christ Jesus. May I know him and experience the power of his resurrection and share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, and attain through this, God willing, the resurrection from the dead! I do not believe I have already reached the goal, nor do I consider myself perfect, but I press on till I conquer Christ Jesus, as I have already been conquered by him. No, brothers and sisters, I do not claim to have claimed the prize yet. I say only this: forgetting what is behind me, I race forward and run towards the goal, my eyes on the prize to which God has called us from above in Christ Jesus.

Gospel (John 8: 1-11)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak, Jesus appeared in the Temple again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone. "Master," they stated, "this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women should be stoned to death; but you, what do you say?" They stated this to test Jesus, in order to have some charge against him. Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. And as the people continued to ask him, he straightened up and stated to them, "Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Jesus returned back into writing on the ground. As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Then Jesus stood up and ask her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one." And Jesus stated, "Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and never sin again."

4th Sunday of Lent

Date: March 14, 2010

First Reading (Joshua 5: 9-12)
A reading from the book of Joshua.
The Lord stated to Joshua: "Today I have removed from you the shame of Egypt." The Israelites encamped in Gilgal where they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the following day, they ate of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain on that very day. And from that day on when they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, and that year they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan.

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5: 17-21)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: The one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come. All this is the work of God who in Christ reconciled us to himself, and who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. Because in Christ God reconciled the world with himself, no longer taking into account their trespasses and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ. He had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God.

Gospel (Luke 15: 1-3 and 11-32)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, muttering. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Therefore, Jesus addressed this parable: "There was a man with two sons. The younger son proposed to the father: 'Give me my share of the estate.' Thus, the father divided his property between them. Some days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. Having spent everything, he was hard pressed when a severe famine broke out in that land. So he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. So famished was he that he longed to fill his stomach even with the food given to the pigs, but nobody offered him anything. Finally coming to his senses, he stated: 'How many of my father's hired workers have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and state to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.' With that thought in mind, he set off for his father's house. He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet his son, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. The son stated: 'Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son...' His father did not hear that. Instead, the father turned to his servants: 'Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.' And the celebration commenced. Meanwhile, the elder son had been working in the fields. As he returned and was near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what it was all about. The servant answered: 'Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father is so happy about it that he was ordered this celebration and killed the fattened calf.' The elder son became angry and refused to go inside. His father came out and pleaded with him. The indignant son stated: 'Look, I have slaved for you all these years. Never have I disobeyed your orders. Yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. Then when this son of yours returns after squandering your property with loose women, you kill the fattened calf for him.' The father stated: "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. he was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.'"

3rd Sunday of Lent

Date: March 7, 2010

First Reading (Exodus 3: 1-8a and 13-15)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
Moses pastured the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law, priest of Midian. One day he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the Mountain of God. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses by means of a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that although the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. Moses thought, "I will go and see this amazing sight, why is the bush not burning up?" The Lord saw that Moses drawing near to look, and God called to him from the middle of the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He replied, "Here I am." The Lord stated to him, "Do not come near, take off your sandals because the place where you are standing is holy ground." And God continued, "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face lest his eyes look on God. The Lord stated, "I have seen the humiliation of my people in Egypt and I hear their cry when they are cruelly treated by their taskmasters. I know their suffering. I have come down to free them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a beautiful spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses answered God, "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' they will ask me: 'What is his name?' What shall I answer them?" God stated to Moses, "I AM WHO AM. This is what you will say to the sons of Israel: 'I AM sent me to you.'" God then stated to Moses, "You will say to the Israelites: 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me.' That will be my name forever, and by this name they shall call upon me for all generations to come."

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 10: 1-6 and 10-12)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Let me remind you, brothers and sisters, about our ancestors. All of them were under the cloud and all crossed the sea. All underwent the baptism of the land and of the sea to join Moses, and all of them ate from the same spiritual food, and all of them drank from the same spiritual drink. For you know that they drank from a spiritual rock following them, and the rock was Christ. However, most of them did not please God, and the desert was strewn with their bodies. All of this happened as an example for us, so that we might not become people of evil desires, as they did. Do not grumble as some of them did and were cut down by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as an example, and they were written as a warning for us, as the last times come upon us. Therefore, if you think you stand, beware, lest you fall.

Gospel (Luke 13: 1-9)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
One day some people told Jesus what had occurred in the Temple: Pilate had Galileans killed and their blood mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus replied, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this? I tell you: no. But unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did. And those eighteen people in Siloah who were crushed when the tower fell, do you think they were more guilty than all the others in Jerusalem? I tell you: no. But unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did." And Jesus continued with this story, "A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none. Then he stated to the gardener: 'Look here, for three years now I have been looking for figs on this tree and I have found none. Cut it down, why should it use up the ground?' The gardener replied: 'Leave it one more year, so that I may dig around it and add some fertilizer; and perhaps it will bear fruit from now on. But if it does not, you can cut it down.'"