Texts taken from the missal “On Your Word” March-April 2024
Palm Sunday: The Passion of the Lord (B)
2nd week of the 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 discouraged. Morning by morning he opens my ear so 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 spitting. The Lord God is my help; therefore I am not disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. – The Word of the Lord.
Commentary on the first reading
As Holy Week begins, the Church has us read the passages from the prophet Isaiah concerning the Passion of the Lord. In this passage, the Servant of Yahweh, a figure of the future Messiah, is instructed by God so that he may speak clearly and convey the divine Word perfectly, in order to comfort the discouraged. But this word immediately provokes a reaction from those who do not intend to convert and prefer to remain in darkness. The prophet knows that his action will bring about the conversion of hearts, but also that it will bring the anger of his enemies upon him, as they will try by every means to silence him, even resorting to physical violence. That is precisely what happened to the Lord Jesus. When there is a good and gentle person who speaks the truth, it is easy for the arrogant and proud to attack them to silence them. Evil cannot tolerate goodness and wants to silence it. As long as no one says anything, the atmosphere is peaceful; but when the truth of faith in Christ is proclaimed, someone immediately wants to prevent us from speaking and bearing witness.
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 regard being like God as a privilege, but emptied himself, taking the condition of a servant and becoming like human beings. And being recognized in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross. For this reason God highly 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, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess: “Jesus Christ is Lord!”, to the glory of God the Father. – The word of God.
Commentary on the second reading
This passage from the Apostle Paul explains the entire Passion of the Lord in a few words, and it is fitting that it be read on this Palm Sunday. God decides to “descend” into human nature to restore humanity to intimacy with the Father. The Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity could not rise any higher from the position in which he found himself. He moved and descended. He descended into the womb of the Virgin Mary. He then descended into the grotto of Bethlehem. During his public ministry, he descended into the Jordan River to be baptized. At the height of his trial, he descended into human death and chose to experience the gravest punishment due to Adam’s sin: death, and death on a cross. Finally, he descended into the underworld to free the souls of the righteous who were waiting there. Once he had reached that lowest point, he immediately rose again, bringing everything back into the bosom of the Father, saved and renewed through his sacrifice. What was true of Christ happens in an analogous way for us as well: we descend into the depths of our existence, in humility, receive divine life, and with it rise again to live in God, sharing in his victory.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
(Instructions for the dialogue reading: ✠ = Jesus; C = Narrator; D = Disciples and friends; F = Crowd; A = Other characters).
C The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mk 14:1 – 15:47)
They were looking for a way to seize him and kill him
C It was two days before Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by deceit and have him put to death. For they said: A “Not during the feast, so that there may not be a riot among the people.”
He has anointed my body in advance for burial
C Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. While he was at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar filled with very costly pure nard perfume. She broke the alabaster jar and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those present were indignant: A «Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor!». C And they were furious with her. Then Jesus said: ✠ «Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a good deed for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can do good to them whenever you wish, but you do not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. Truly I tell you: wherever the Gospel is proclaimed throughout the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her».
They promised Judas Iscariot that they would give him money
C Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to hand Jesus over to them. When they heard him, they rejoiced and promised to give him money. And he was looking for an opportunity to hand him over.
Where is my room, in which I may eat the Passover with my disciples?
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to him: D «Where do you want us to go and prepare, so that you may eat the Passover?». C Then he sent two of his disciples, saying to them: ✠ «Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house: “The Teacher says: Where is my room, in which I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”. He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready; there prepare the supper for us». C The disciples went off and, entering the city, found everything as he had told them and prepared the Passover.
One of you, the one who eats with me, will betray me
When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. And while they were at table eating, Jesus said: ✠ «Truly I tell you: one of you, the one who eats with me, will betray me». C They began to be saddened and to say to him, one after another: D «Surely it is not I?». C He said to them: ✠ «One of the Twelve, the one who dips his hand into the dish with me. For 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 have been better for that man if he had never been born!».
This is my body. This is my blood of the covenant
C And while they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them, saying: ✠ «Take it; this is my body». C Then he took a cup, gave thanks, gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them: ✠ «This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God».
Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times
C After singing the hymn, they went out toward the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them: ✠ «You will all fall away, because it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered”. But, after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee». C Peter said to him: D «Even if everyone falls away, I will not!». C Jesus said to him: ✠ «Truly I say to you: you yourself, today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, will deny me three times». C But he insisted emphatically: D «Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you». C And all the others said the same.
He began to feel fear and anguish
They came to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples: ✠ «Sit here while I pray». C He took Peter, James and John with him and began to feel fear and anguish. He said to them: ✠ «My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch». C Then he went a little farther, fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, that hour might pass from him. And he said: ✠ «Abba! Father! Everything is possible for you: take this cup away from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will». C Then he came and found them sleeping and said to Peter: ✠ «Simon, are you asleep? Were you unable to keep watch for a single 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 again and prayed, saying the same words. Then he came again and found them sleeping, because their eyes had become heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. He came a third time and said to them: ✠ «Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come: behold, 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».
Arrest him and take him away under heavy guard
C And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. The traitor had given them a sign, saying: D “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” C As soon as he arrived, he went up to him and said: D “Rabbi,” C and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of those present drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to them: ✠ “Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs, as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was among you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled!” C Then they all deserted him and fled. A young man, however, followed him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, and they seized him. But he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.
Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
They led Jesus to the high priest, and there all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest’s palace, and was sitting among the servants, warming himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they could not find any. Indeed, many testified falsely against him, but their testimonies did not agree. Some stood up and testified falsely against him, saying: A “We heard him say: ‘I will destroy this temple made by human hands, and in three days I will build another, not made by human hands.’” C But even then their testimony did not agree. The high priest, standing up in the midst of the assembly, questioned Jesus, saying: A “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” C But he remained silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him, saying: A “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” C 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.” C Then the high priest, tearing his robes, said: A “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; what is your judgment?” C They all condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, blindfold him, strike him, and say to him: F “Prophesy!” C And the servants slapped him.
I do not know this man you are talking about
While Peter was down in the courtyard, one of the young women servants of the high priest came and, seeing Peter warming himself, looked him in the face and said to him: A “You too were with the Nazarene, with Jesus.” C But he denied it, saying: D “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” C Then he went out toward the entrance, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl, seeing him, began to say again to those standing there: A “This man is one of them.” C But he denied it again. A little later, those standing there said to Peter again: A “It is true, you certainly are one of them; in fact, you are a Galilean.” C But he began to curse and swear: D “I do not know this man you are talking about.” C And immediately, for the second time, a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the words Jesus had said to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down in tears.
Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?
And immediately, [in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, after conferring together, bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him: A “Are you the king of the Jews?” C And he answered: ✠ “You say so.” C The chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate questioned him again, saying: A “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of!” C But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. At every feast, he used to release for them one prisoner, whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the revolt. The crowd, having gathered, began to ask for what he was accustomed to grant them. Pilate answered them: A “Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” C For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over out of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate said to them again: A “What, then, do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” C And they shouted again: F “Crucify him!” C Pilate said to them: A “What evil has he done?” C But they shouted even louder: F “Crucify him!” C Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them and, after having Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.
They braided a crown of thorns and put it around his head
Then the soldiers led him inside the courtyard, that is, the praetorium, and called the whole cohort together. They clothed him in purple, braided a crown of thorns and put it around his head. Then they began to salute him: F “Hail, King of the Jews!”. C They struck his head with a reed, spat on him and, bending their knees, bowed before him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple robe and dressed him in his own clothes, then led him out to crucify him.
They led Jesus to the place called Golgotha
They compelled a passer-by, a certain Simon of Cyrene, coming from the countryside, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. They led Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull”, and offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
They also crucified two bandits with him
Then they crucified him and divided his garments, casting lots for them to decide what each should take. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription stating the charge against him read: “The King of the Jews”. They also crucified two bandits with him, one on his right and one on his left.
He saved others; he cannot save himself!
Those passing by insulted him, shaking their heads and saying: F “Hey, you who destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross!”. C In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said: A “He saved others; he cannot save himself! Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe!”. C Those who had been crucified with him also insulted him.
Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed his last
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: ✠ “Eloi, Eloi, 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 “Look, he is calling Elijah!”. C Someone ran to soak a sponge in vinegar, fixed it to a reed and gave him a drink, saying: A “Wait, let us see whether Elijah comes to take him down”. C But Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed his last.
(Here one genuflects and pauses briefly)
The veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The centurion, who was standing opposite him, when he saw him breathe his last in that way, said: A “Truly this man was the Son of God!”] C There were also some women watching from a distance, among them Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and served him, and there were many other women who had gone up with him to Jerusalem.
Joseph rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb
When evening had already come, since it was the Day of Preparation, that is, the eve of the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead and, summoning the centurion, asked him whether he had been dead for some time. Informed by the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. He then bought a linen cloth, took him down from the cross, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb hewn out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid. – The Word of the Lord.
Commentary on the Gospel of the day
The account of the Passion is read in its entirety at Mass only on two occasions: Good Friday and Palm Sunday. Today's reading serves to introduce us to the holiest time of the year, the “week” par excellence, in which everything is adoration and meditation on what God has done for us. In the liturgy, the Passion begins in this solemn way. There are no words of commentary, nothing can be added: we can only remain silent, adore, and carry all the individual events of the Passion in our souls, striking our breasts as a sign of contrition. If Jesus lived the Passion with love and out of love, we too must do the same: love Christ with fullness of feeling and understanding, knowing that if we are saved, we owe it precisely to what the Lord did for us during the terrible hours of the Passion. Jesus asks to be loved. Let us enter Holy Week with this feeling, setting everything else aside. It is the week of God's love for us, and we are there. It is the event of our lives, because the Passion does not happen without us. Let us enter this time and fix our hearts here. May nothing else attract us during these seven days.
