Texts taken from the “Sulla Tua Parola” missal March-April 2023
Palm Sunday: The Passion of the Lord (A)
2nd week, psalter
FIRST READING
From the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is 50:4-7)
The Lord God has given me a disciple's tongue, so that I may know how to speak a word to the weary. Morning by morning he makes my ear attentive, that I may listen like a disciple. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I have not resisted; I have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spittle. The Lord God helps me; therefore I am not disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, knowing that I will not be put to shame. - The word of the Lord.
Commentary on the first reading
Faithfulness to God and to people - to the mission received for their sake - makes the Servant of God steadfast in suffering, disgrace, and apparent failure. An attentive disciple of the Word, a prophet and teacher of wisdom for the people, through his fate he prefigures that of Christ, the meek one who did not resist the Father's will and did not withdraw from human wickedness, confident - even in the supreme hour of abandonment on the cross - that God's plan is the gift of salvation offered to all. At the beginning of this Holy Week, let us also ask God to open the ears of our hearts so that we may listen to his word of salvation. May it dig deep within our lives and reach the places where life has wounded, scourged, and mocked us. Let us offer the Lord all our suffering with the same awareness as the prophet: “The Lord God helps me; therefore I am not disgraced.” In this way, these days will not merely be a succession of rites and celebrations, but an opportunity to experience God's love vividly, knowing that we will not remain “confused.”
SECOND READING
From the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Philippians (Phil 2,6-11)
Christ Jesus, though he was in the condition of God, did not consider being equal with God a privilege, but emptied himself, assuming the condition of a servant, becoming like human beings. Recognized in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason God exalted him and bestowed on 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 proclaim: “Jesus Christ is Lord!”, to the glory of God the Father. – The word of God.
Commentary on the second reading
We are presented with a splendid pre-Pauline Christological hymn. Complex in its individual expressions, it can be understood starting from the noun “privilege,” a translation of a Greek word that literally means “object of seizure.” What, then, can be the meaning of the statement: Christ, who is in the condition of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be seized? The implicit comparison is with the first man, Adam, who, not being in such a condition, wanted to steal it. Paul offers the community in Philippi the “new Adam,” that is, Christ, the new man, as an example. He accepts, through humility and obedience unto the most shameful death, to redeem the proud disobedience of the first Adam, because of which all humanity fell into sin. Christ emptied himself and assumed our condition as servants to the very end. His voluntary abasement corresponds to God’s action, by which he exalted him. Yet the universe is now called to proclaim that Jesus Christ is “kyrios,” Lord, that is, God, and this confession is to the glory of the Father.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 26,14 – 27,66)
(Instructions for the dialogued reading: ✠ = Jesus; C = Narrator; D = Disciples and friends; F = Crowd; A = Other characters).
C The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?
C At that time, one of the Twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said: D“How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?” C And they set thirty pieces of silver for him. From that moment on, he looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.
Where would you like us to prepare it for you so that you can eat Easter?
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said to him: D «Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?». C And he replied: ✠ «Go into the city to a certain man and say to him: “The Teacher says: My time is near; I will celebrate the Passover at your house with my disciples”». C The disciples did as Jesus had ordered them, and prepared the Passover.
One of you will betray me
When evening came, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said: ✠ «Truly I tell you: one of you will betray me». C And they, deeply saddened, began to ask him one after another: D «Surely it is not I, Lord?». C And he replied: ✠ «The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man is going away, 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!». C Judas, the betrayer, said: D«Surely it is not I, Rabbi?». C He replied to him: ✠ «You have said it».
This is my body; this is my blood
C Now while they were eating, Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and, as he gave it to the disciples, said: ✠ «Take, eat: this is my body». C Then he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: ✠ «Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you that from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father». C After singing the hymn, they went out toward the Mount of Olives.
I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered
Then Jesus said to them: ✠ «Tonight all of you will be scandalized because of me. For it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee». C Peter said to him: D «Even if everyone is scandalized because of you, I will never be scandalized». C Jesus said to him: ✠ «Truly I tell you: this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times». C Peter replied to him: D «Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you». C The same was said by all the disciples.
He began to feel sadness and anguish
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples: ✠ “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” C And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, he began to feel sorrow and anguish. And he said to them: ✠ “My soul is sorrowful even to death; remain here and keep watch with me.” C He went a little farther, fell facedown, and prayed, saying: ✠ “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not as I will, but as you will!” C Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: ✠ “So, you were not able to keep watch with me for one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” C He went away a second time and prayed, saying: ✠ “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may your will be done.” C Then he came and found them sleeping again, because their eyes had become heavy. He left them, went away again, and prayed a third time, repeating the same words. Then he approached the disciples and said to them: ✠ “Sleep now and rest! Behold, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is handed over into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us go! Behold, the one who betrays me is near.”
They laid hands on Jesus and arrested him
C While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people. The traitor had given them a sign, saying: D “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him!” C He immediately went up to Jesus and said: D “Greetings, Rabbi!” C And he kissed him. And Jesus said to him: ✠ “Friend, do what you came for!” C Then they stepped forward, laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him: ✠ “Put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would immediately place at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must happen in this way?” C At that moment Jesus said to the crowd: ✠ “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a robber? Every day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me. But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” C Then all the disciples abandoned him and fled.
You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power
Those who had arrested Jesus led him to the high priest Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders had gathered.
and the scribes and elders. Meanwhile, Peter had followed him from a distance to the high priest’s palace; he went in and sat among the servants, to see how it would end. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they could not find any, although many false witnesses had come forward. Finally, two came forward and stated: A “This man declared: ‘I can destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” C The high priest stood up and said to him: A “Have you no answer? What is this testimony that these men bring against you?” C But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him: A “I adjure you by the living God: tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” C Jesus answered him: ✠ “You have said so; but I tell you: from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” C Then the high priest tore his robes, saying: A “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy; what is your verdict?” C They answered: F “He deserves death!” C Then they spat in his face and struck him; others slapped him, saying: F “Prophesy for us, Christ! Who struck you?”
Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times
CMeanwhile Peter was sitting outside, in the courtyard. A young servant girl approached him and said: A“You too were with Jesus, the Galilean!” CBut he denied it before them all, saying: D“I do not understand what you are saying.” CAs he was going out toward the entrance, another servant girl saw him and said to those there: A“This man was with Jesus, the Nazarene.” CBut he denied it again, with an oath: D“I do not know the man!” CAfter a little while, those standing there approached and said to Peter: A“Certainly you are one of them too: indeed, your accent gives you away!” CThen he began to curse and swear: D“I do not know the man!” CAnd immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
They handed Jesus over to the governor Pilate
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and handed him over to the governor Pilate. Then Judas - the one who betrayed him -, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, seized with remorse, returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying: D “I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood.” C But they said: A “What is that to us? See to it yourself!” C Then he threw the pieces of silver into the temple, went away, and hanged himself. The chief priests, after gathering up the pieces, said: A“It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are the price of blood.” C After taking counsel, they used them to buy the “Potter’s Field” as a burial place for foreigners. That is why that field has been called “Field of Blood” to this day. Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “And they took thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price was set by the children of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord had commanded me.”
Are you the king of the Jews?
[C Meanwhile Jesus appeared before the governor, and the governor questioned him, saying: A“Are you the king of the Jews?”. C Jesus replied: ✠ “You say so.” C And while the chief priests and the elders accused him, he answered nothing. Then Pilate said to him: A “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”. C But he did not answer him even a word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. At every feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd one prisoner of their choosing. At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So, when they had gathered, Pilate said to them: A “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?”. C For he knew very well that they had handed him over out of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message: A “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, because today, in a dream, I have suffered greatly because of him.” C But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. Then the governor asked them: A “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”. C They replied: F “Barabbas!”. C Pilate asked them: A“Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”. C They all answered: F “Let him be crucified!”. C And he said: A“But what evil has he done?”. C They cried out even louder: F “Let him be crucified!”. C Pilate, seeing that he was getting nowhere, but rather that the uproar was increasing, took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying: A “I am not responsible for this blood. You see to it!”. C And all the people answered: F“His blood be upon us and upon our children”. C Then he released Barabbas for them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.
Hail, King of the Jews!
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him, put a scarlet robe on him, twisted a crown of thorns, placed it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. Then, kneeling before him, they mocked him: F “Hail, King of the Jews!” C They spat on him, took the reed from his hand, and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him, then led him away to crucify him.
Two criminals were crucified with him.
As they went out, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry his cross. When they came to the place called Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull,” they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. He tasted it, but would not drink it. After crucifying him, they divided his garments among themselves, casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!
Those passing by insulted him, shaking their heads and saying: F “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” C In the same way, the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying: F “He saved others and cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants him. For he said: ‘I am the Son of God’!” C The robbers who were crucified with him also insulted him in the same way.
Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?
From noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Around three, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: ✠ “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”, C which means: ✠ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” C When some of those present heard this, they said: A“This man is calling Elijah.” C And immediately one of them ran to get a sponge, soaked it in vinegar, fixed it to a reed, and gave him a drink. The others said: A“Leave him! Let us see whether Elijah comes to save him!” C But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up his spirit.
(Here one genuflects and pauses briefly)
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks split, the tombs opened, and many bodies of the saints who had died were raised. Coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those guarding Jesus with him saw the earthquake and what was happening, they were filled with great fear and said: A “Truly, this man was the Son of God!”] C There were also many women there, watching from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Joseph took Jesus’ body and placed it in his new tomb
When evening came, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph arrived; he too had become a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate then ordered that it be handed over to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there, facing the tomb.
You have guards: go and make the tomb as secure as you know how
The next day, the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said: A“Sir, we remember that while that impostor was still alive, he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore, order the tomb to be guarded until the third day, so that his disciples may not come, steal him, and then say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ This last deception would be worse than the first!” C Pilate said to them: A “You have guards: go and make the tomb as secure as you know how.” C So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and leaving the guards there. - The word of the Lord.
Commentary on the Gospel of the Day
The Lenten journey leads us to Palm Sunday, the day on which we remember Jesus’ solemn entry into Jerusalem. There is the joyful crowd shouting “hosanna,” and yet, shortly afterward, the celebration will turn into a tragedy, because the hosannas will become “let him be crucified!”, condemning to death the very Jesus they had acclaimed before. However, it is not only the crowd that changes its position: in the Gospel, we witness a play of ups and downs. The apostles, chosen and loved by Jesus, fall low by betraying him, denying him, and fleeing. Jesus, on the other hand, through his death on the cross, radically changes the balance between God and humanity: it is no longer humanity that sacrifices to God, but God who sacrifices himself for humanity. We will find this play of ups and downs throughout Holy Week: Jesus will first lower himself to wash the apostles’ feet, then he will be lifted up on the cross, from which he will later be taken down to be placed in the tomb, and finally he will rise to his feet, resurrected. It is beautiful to think that these ups and downs in Jesus’ life intersect with those in ours. May God overturn our story: may he lower us where we have exalted ourselves in pride and raise us up from the depths where we have fallen because of our frailties.
