by | Apr 6, 2023 | Evangelium

FRIday 07 APRIL

Good Friday

SAINT John Baptist de la Salle

He was born in Rheims in France in 1651. He and his colleagues formed the the Brothers of the Christian Schools, in whose cause he suffered many tribulations. He died in Rouen in 1719.

Collect

Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

First reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds were appalled on seeing him – so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human – so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: “Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?” Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty we saw him, no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; he was despised and we took no account of him. And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done. His soul’s anguish over, he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.

Psalm 30:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25

R/ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free; into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

In the face of all my foes I am a reproach, an object of scorn to my neighbours and of fear to my friends.

Those who see me in the street run far away from me. I am like a dead man, forgotten, like a thing thrown away.

But as for me, I trust in you, Lord; I say: You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.

Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love. Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Second reading: Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel Acclamation: Phil 2:8-9

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kedron valley. There was a garden there, and he went into it with his disciples. Judas the traitor knew the place well, since Jesus had often met his disciples there, and he brought the cohort to this place together with a detachment of guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, all with lanterns and torches and weapons. Knowing everything that was going to happen to him, Jesus then came forward and said,   ✠ Who are you looking for? N. They answered,  C. Jesus the Nazarene. N. He said, ✠ I am he. N. Now Judas the traitor was standing among them. When Jesus said, ‘I am he’, they moved back and fell to the ground. He asked them a second time, ✠ Who are you looking for? N. They said, C. Jesus the Nazarene. N. Jesus replied, ✠ I have told you that I am he. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. N. This was to fulfil the words he had spoken, ‘Not one of those you gave me have I lost.’ Simon Peter, who carried a sword, drew it and wounded the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter,  Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me? N. The cohort and its captain and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him. They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had suggested to the Jews, ‘It is better for one man to die for the people.’ Simon Peter, with another disciple, followed Jesus. This disciple, who was known to the high priest, went with Jesus into the high priest’s palace, but Peter stayed outside the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who was keeping the door and brought Peter in. The maid on duty at the door said to Peter, O. Aren’t you another of that man’s disciples? N. He answered, O. I am not. N. Now it was cold, and the servants and guards had lit a charcoal fire and were standing there warming themselves; so Peter stood there too, warming himself with the others. The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered,  ✠ I have spoken openly for all the world to hear; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple where all the Jews meet together: I have said nothing in secret. But why ask me? Ask my hearers what I taught: they know what I said. N. At these words, one of the guards standing by gave Jesus a slap in the face, saying, O. Is that the way to answer the high priest? N. Jesus replied, ✠ If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out; but if there is no offence in it, why do you strike me? N. Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. As Simon Peter stood there warming himself, someone said to him, O. Aren’t you another of his disciples? N. He denied it, saying, O. I am not. N. One of the high priest’s servants, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, O. Didn’t I see you in the garden with him? N. Again Peter denied it; and at once a cock crew. They then led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was now morning. They did not go into the Praetorium themselves or they would be defiled and unable to eat the passover. So Pilate came outside to them and said, O. What charge do you bring against this man? N.  They replied, ✠ If he were not a criminal, we should not be handing him over to you. N. Pilate said, O. Take him yourselves, and try him by your own Law. N. The Jews answered, C. We are not allowed to put a man to death. N. This was to fulfil the words Jesus had spoken indicating the way he was going to die. So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him, and asked, O. Are you the king of the Jews? N. Jesus replied, ✠ Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me? N. Pilate answered, O. Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done? N. Jesus replied, ✠ Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind. N. Pilate said, O. So you are a king, then? N. Jesus answered, ✠ It is you who say it. Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice. N. Pilate said, O.Truth? What is that? N. and with that he went out again to the Jews and said, O. I find no case against him. But according to a custom of yours I should release one prisoner at the Passover; would you like me, then, to release the king of the Jews? N. At this they shouted:  C. Not this man, but Barabbas. N. Barabbas was a brigand. Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him and saying,  C. Hail, king of the Jews! N. and they slapped him in the face. Pilate came outside again and said to them, O. Look, I am going to bring him out to you to let you see that I find no case. N. Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, O. Here is the man. N. When they saw him the chief priests and the guards shouted, C.Crucify him! Crucify him! N. Pilate said, O. Take him yourselves and crucify him: I can find no case against him. N. The Jews replied, C. We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to die, because he has claimed to be the Son of God. N.  When Pilate heard them say this his fears increased. Re-entering the Praetorium, he said to Jesus O. Where do you come from? N. But Jesus made no answer. Pilate then said to him, O. Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you? N. Jesus replied, ✠ You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above; that is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater guilt. N. From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, C. If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar’s; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar. N.  Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated himself on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha. It was Passover Preparation Day, about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, O. Here is your king. N. They said, C.  Take him away, take him away! Crucify him! N. Pilate said, O. Do you want me to crucify your king? N. The chief priests answered, C.  We have no king except Caesar. N. So in the end Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. They then took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull or, as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him with two others, one on either side with Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote out a notice and had it fixed to the cross; it ran: ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.’  This notice was read by many of the Jews, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city, and the writing was in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. So the Jewish chief priests said to Pilate,  C.  You should not write ‘King of the Jews,’ but ‘This man said: “I am King of the Jews.”’ N.  Pilate answered, O. What I have written, I have written. N.  When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, C.Instead of tearing it, let’s throw dice to decide who is to have it. N. In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: They shared out my clothing among them. They cast lots for my clothes. This is exactly what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, Woman, this is your son. N. Then to the disciple he said, ✠ This is your mother. N. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the cripture perfectly he said: ✠ I am thirsty. N. A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ✠ It is accomplished; N. and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water. This is the evidence of one who saw it – trustworthy evidence, and he knows he speaks the truth – and he gives it so that you may believe as well. Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture: Not one bone of his will be broken and again, in another place scripture says: They will look on the one whom they have pierced. After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus – though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews – asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away. Nicodemus came as well – the same one who had first come to Jesus at night-time – and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Prayer after Communion

Almighty ever-living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed Death and Resurrection of your Christ, preserve in us the work of your mercy, that, by partaking of this mystery, we may have a life unceasingly devoted to you. Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the People

May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon your people, who have honoured the Death of your Son in the hope of their resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Today heaven and earth are witnessing the unimaginable: the author of life has given up the ghost, God is dead! It is Good Friday! The universe holds its breath, everything freezes. On Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem as king, today he dies on the cross. Yesterday he gave us the Eucharist, today he offers us his life. Palm Sunday with the green branches, today, the inert body on the dead wood of the cross. Life and death, these are the two poles that frame the mission of Jesus and give it meaning. This is the week when God embraces the fragility of man and raises humanity up. Dying to re-establish the covenant between the Father and his children, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross obtains God’s forgiveness for us and reconciles us with him. But having known humiliation and suffering, he also dies in order to go down to the tomb with all our individual, family and societal deaths and, that from the depths of these tombs, life may arise. He is the true servant who carries our burdens and gives us true life; the one that comes from God. On this day, Jesus shows solidarity with all the sick, the exiled, the suffering, the trials of war-stricken, the mourning, those with personal anguish, families in pain, every child; he invites each one to look at the cross and to draw from it the gift that he gives of himself for our salvation.

by | Apr 5, 2023 | Evangelium

THURSday 06 APRIL

Maundy Thursday

Saint William of Eskilsoe

Evening Mass

He was born in 1125 and was a French religious who willingly led a life with few comforts. He spent many hours in prayer and became a scholar of religious law. An account written after his death described him as “famous for his life and miracles.” He died in 1203.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14

We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.

Collect

O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love; grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: “This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat it hastily: it is a passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord! The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.’”

Psalm 115:12-13, 15-18

R: The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.” Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.

Gospel Acclamation: Jn13: 34

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel: John 13:1-15

It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples” feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “Never!” said Peter “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” “Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “Though not all of you are.” When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand” he said “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.”

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cor 11: 24-25

This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord; do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Meditation

On Holy Thursday the Church gives us the opportunity to re-live the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders, intimately linked to the Eucharist, and the sacrament of fraternal charity through the gesture of the washing of the feet. It is the feast of the priesthood with Jesus the Highest of Priests who wanted to associate weak and fragile men, the priests, with his holy ministry; the feast of the Eucharist where he offers himself as the greatest sacrifice to the Father and gives himself to us as true food and drink; the feast of brotherhood where the greatest serves the smallest, it is in reality the feast of love which is not afraid to lower itself and to give itself to the end that we celebrate today. But to enter into this mystery of Holy Thursday, we must pass through the door of service, that of the washing of the feet, of which Jesus himself is the example in his Gospel. Jesus, though Lord and Master, takes the apron of the servant and the place of the slave to serve. He reverses the established order and leads us to true understanding of his mission and his self-offering. His gesture teaches the way of humility and self-abasement, of service and fraternal attention, as well as of true greatness.11

by | Apr 4, 2023 | Evangelium

THURSday 05 APRIL

Maundy Thursday

Evening Mass

Saint William of Eskilsoe

He was born in 1125 and was a French religious who willingly led a life with few comforts. He spent many hours in prayer and became a scholar of religious law. An account written after his death described him as “famous for his life and miracles.” He died in 1203.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14

We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.

Collect

O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love; grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: “This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat it hastily: it is a passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord! The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.’”

Psalm 115:12-13, 15-18

R: The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.” Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.

Gospel Acclamation: Jn13: 34

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel: John 13:1-15

It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples” feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “Never!” said Peter “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” “Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “Though not all of you are.” When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand” he said “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.”

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cor 11: 24-25

This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord; do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Meditation

On Holy Thursday the Church gives us the opportunity to re-live the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders, intimately linked to the Eucharist, and the sacrament of fraternal charity through the gesture of the washing of the feet. It is the feast of the priesthood with Jesus the Highest of Priests who wanted to associate weak and fragile men, the priests, with his holy ministry; the feast of the Eucharist where he offers himself as the greatest sacrifice to the Father and gives himself to us as true food and drink; the feast of brotherhood where the greatest serves the smallest, it is in reality the feast of love which is not afraid to lower itself and to give itself to the end that we celebrate today. But to enter into this mystery of Holy Thursday, we must pass through the door of service, that of the washing of the feet, of which Jesus himself is the example in his Gospel. Jesus, though Lord and Master, takes the apron of the servant and the place of the slave to serve. He reverses the established order and leads us to true understanding of his mission and his self-offering. His gesture teaches the way of humility and self-abasement, of service and fraternal attention, as well as of true greatness.

by | Apr 4, 2023 | Evangelium

WEDNESday 05 APRIL

SAINT VINCENT FERRER

He was born in Valencia and joined the Dominicans at the age of 17. Among others, he preached to the Jews, of whom some 25,000 were converted to Christianity. He died in 5 April 1419.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Phil 2: 10

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, for the Lord became obedient to death, death on a cross: therefore, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Collect

O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake to the yoke of the Cross, so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy, grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed. My vindicator is here at hand. Does anyone start proceedings against me? Then let us go to court together. Who thinks he has a case against me? Let him approach me. The Lord is coming to my help, who will dare to condemn me?

Psalm 68:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34

R/ In your great love, O Lord, answer my prayers for your favour.

It is for you that I suffer taunts, that shame covers my face, that I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons. I burn with zeal for your house and taunts against you fall on me.

Taunts have broken my heart; I have reached the end of my strength. I looked in vain for compassion, for consolers; not one could I find. For food they gave me poison; in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

 I will praise God’s name with a song; I will glorify him with thanksgiving. The poor when they see it will be glad and God-seeking hearts will revive; for the Lord listens to the needy and does not spurn his servants in their chains.

Gospel Acclamation

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Hail to you, our King! Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?” “Go to so-and-so in the city” he replied “and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”“ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover. When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said “I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me” They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, “Not I, Lord, surely?” He answered, “Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the Scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!” Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, “Not I, Rabbi, surely?” “They are your own words” answered Jesus.

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings made here, graciously grant that, celebrating your Son’s Passion in mystery, we may experience the grace of its effects. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mt 20: 28

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Prayer after Communion

Endow us, almighty God, with the firm conviction that through your Son’s Death in time, to which the revered mysteries bear witness, we may be assured of perpetual life. Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the People

Grant your faithful, O Lord, we pray, to partake unceasingly of the paschal mysteries and to await with longing, the gifts to come, that, persevering in the Sacraments of their rebirth, they may be led by Lenten works to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Meditation

Faced with the pain of betrayal by a loved one, the psalmist exclaims: “If the insult came to me from an enemy, I could endure it; if my rival rose against me, I could flee. But you, a man of my rank, my familiar, my intimate!” (Ps 54) and in response, Psalm 68 says: “For your sake I endure insult, shame covers my face: I am a stranger to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons.” Jesus’ human experience also involves all the frailties and humiliations of interpersonal relationships. The Son of Man sold is like a slave at thirty pieces of silver. Yet, inscribed in the paschal perspective, this demeaning of Jesus identifies him with all those who are slaves of sin and slaves of men, slaves of material desires and worldly greed; those for whom he came to bring liberation. By the gift of his life, he reverses Judas’ demand: “What will you give me if I give it to you?” into “my life, no one takes, but I give it” (Jn 10:18) so that “all men may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).

by | Apr 3, 2023 | Evangelium

TUESday 04 APRIL

SAINT Isidore of Séville

He was born in Spain in c. 560. As Archbishop of Seville, he was prolific in his writings and diligent in governing the Church, Isidore did not neglect the service of those in need. St. Isidore of Seville died on April 4 of the year 636.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 26: 12

Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, for false witnesses rise up against me and they breathe out violence.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples. The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name. He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified”; while I was thinking, “I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing”; and all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward with my God. I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength. And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him: “It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Psalm 70:1-6, 15, 17

R/ My lips will tell of your help.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me.

Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked.

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help.

My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.

Gospel Acclamation

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Hail to you, our King! Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, “Ask who it is he means”, so leaning back on Jesus” breast he said, “Who is it, Lord?” “It is the one” replied Jesus “to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.” He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen. When he had gone Jesus said: “Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.  If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon. “My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, And, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.” Peter said to him, “Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” “Lay down your life for me?” answered Jesus. “I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.

Prayer over the Offerings

Look favourably, O Lord, we pray, on these offerings of your family, and to those you make partakers of these sacred gifts grant a share in their fullness. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Rm 8: 32

God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all.

Prayer after Communion

Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament, with which you have fed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the People

May your mercy, O God, cleanse the people that are subject to you from all seduction of former ways and make them capable of new holiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Meditation

Meals are great moments of Jesus’ life: marriage at Cana, at Bethany, meals at the home of Zacchaeus the publican, at the home of Matthew the Pharisee, but especially the Last Supper with his disciples. Unfortunately, it is also around these meals, moments of communion, that tensions and betrayal are mixed. Yes, friendship and betrayal: two words that sum up Jesus’ last evening with his people; a declaration: “one of you will betray me”, a mouthful and Judas went out for “it was night”.  Judas was truly one of the Twelve, chosen and loved by Jesus with a special love; but the love of money led him to betray his friend and turn away from his master. Nevertheless, Jesus’ passion is more of glorification because he loves the Father and the Father loves him. So in his light, it is only by remaining faithful to his friendship that we too will take part in his glory. Without any pretence, let us present ourselves as we are to the truth of his presence which reconciles us to him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “the mystery of iniquity (2 Thess 2:7) is only illuminated in the light of the mystery of piety” (cf. 1 Tim 3:16). 

by | Apr 1, 2023 | Evangelium

sUNday 02 APRIL

Palm Sunday

Psalter week II

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11   

When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village facing you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her: untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ’The Lord has need of them,’ and he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Sion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Jn 12: 1, 12-13; Ps 23: 9-10

Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in their hands they carried palm branches and with a loud voice cried out: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy! O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!  Who is this king of glory? He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!

Collect        

Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow caused our Saviour to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.

Psalm 21:8-9, 17-20,23-24

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads. “He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; let him release him if this is his friend.”

Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet, I can count every one of my bones.

They divide my clothing among them. They cast lots for my robe. O Lord, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me!

I will tell of your name to my brethren and praise you where they are assembled. You who fear the Lord give him praise; all sons of Jacob, give him glory. Revere him, Israel’s sons.

Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11

His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Acclamation:Phil 2:8-9

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

Key: N. Narrator. ✠  Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, O. What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you? N. They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, C. Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover? N. He replied: ✠ Go to so-and-so in the city and say to him, ‘The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.’ N. The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover. When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said: ✠  I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me. N. They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, C. Not I, Lord, surely? N. He answered, ✠  Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born! N. Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, O. Not I, Rabbi, surely? N. Jesus answered: ✠ They are your own words. N. Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: ✠  Take it and eat; this is my body. N. Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, saying: ✠  Drink, all of you, from this, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. From now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father. N. After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, ✠ You will all lose faith in me this night, for the scripture says: I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered, but after my resurrection I shall go before you to Galilee. N. At this, Peter said, O. Though all lose faith in you, I will never lose faith. N. Jesus answered him, ✠  I tell you solemnly, this very night, before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times. N. Peter said to him, O. Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. N. And all the disciples said the same. Then Jesus came with them to a small estate called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ✠  Stay here while I go over there to pray. N. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And sadness came over him, and great distress. Then he said to them, ✠  My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and keep awake with me. N. And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed: ✠  My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it. N. He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter: ✠  So you had not the strength to keep awake with me one hour? You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. N. Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: ✠  My Father, if this cup cannot pass by without my drinking it, your will be done! N. And he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy. Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words. Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, ✠ You can sleep on now and take your rest. Now the hour has come when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! My betrayer is already close at hand. N. He was still speaking when Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a large number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them. He had said, O. ‘The one I kiss, he is the man. Take him in charge.’ N. So he went straight up to Jesus and said, O. Greetings, Rabbi. N. and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ✠ My friend, do what you are here for. N. Then they came forward, seized Jesus and took him in charge. At that, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus then said, ✠  Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defence? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be? N. It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, ✠  Am I a brigand, that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid hands on me. N. Now all this happened to fulfil the prophecies in scripture. Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away. The men who had arrested Jesus led him off to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter followed him at a distance, and when he reached the high priest’s palace, he went in and sat down with the attendants to see what the end would be. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus, however false, on which they might pass the death sentence. But they could not find any, though several lying witnesses came forward. Eventually two stepped forward and made a statement, O. This man said: ‘I have power to destroy the Temple of God and in three days build it up.’ N. The high priest then stood up and said to him, O. Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you? N. But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, O. I put you on oath by the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. N. Jesus answered: ✠  The words are your own. Moreover, I tell you that from this time onward you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. N. At this, the high priest tore his clothes and said, O. He has blasphemed. What need of witnesses have we now? There! You have just heard the blasphemy. What is your opinion? N. They answered, C. He deserves to die. N. Then they spat in his face and hit him with their fists; others said as they struck him, C. Play the prophet, Christ! Who hit you then? N. Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, O. You too were with Jesus the Galilean. N. But he denied it in front of them all, saying: O. I do not know what you are talking about. N. When he went out to the gateway another servant-girl saw him and said to the people there, O. This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. N. And again, with an oath, he denied it: O. I do not know the man. N. A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, C. You are one of them for sure! Why, your accent gives you away. Then he started calling down curses on himself and swearing: O. I do not know the man. N. At that moment the cock crew, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, ‘Before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people met in council to bring about the death of Jesus. They had him bound, and led him away to hand him over to Pilate, the governor. When he found that Jesus had been condemned, Judas his betrayer was filled with remorse and took the thirty silver pieces back to the chief priests and elders, saying: O. I have sinned. I have betrayed innocent blood. N. They replied: C. What is that to us? That is your concern. N. And flinging down the silver pieces in the sanctuary he made off and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, C. It is against the Law to put this into the treasury: it is blood-money. N. So they discussed the matter and bought the potter’s field with it as a graveyard for foreigners, and this is why the field is called the Field of Blood today. The words of the prophet Jeremiah were then fulfilled: And they took the thirty silver pieces, the sum at which the precious One was priced by children of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, just as the Lord directed me. Jesus, then, was brought before the governor, and the governor put to him this question: O. Are you the king of the Jews? N. Jesus replied, ✠  It is you who say it. N. But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders he refused to answer at all. Pilate then said to him, O. Do you not hear how many charges they have brought against you? N. But to the governor’s complete amazement, he offered no reply to any of the charges. At festival time it was the governor’s practice to release a prisoner for the people, anyone they chose. Now there was at that time a notorious prisoner whose name was Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate said to them, O. Which do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? N. For Pilate knew it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. Now as he was seated in the chair of judgement, his wife sent him a message, O. Have nothing to do with that man; I have been upset all day by a dream I had about him. N. The chief priests and the elders, however, had persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus. So when the governor spoke and asked them, O. Which of the two do you want me to release for you? N. they said, C. Barabbas. N. Pilate said to them: O. But in that case, what am I to do with Jesus who is called Christ? N. They all said: C. Let him be crucified! N. Pilate asked: O. Why? What harm has he done? N. But they shouted all the louder,  C. Let him be crucified! N. Then Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, O. I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern. N. And the people, to a man, shouted back, C. His blood be on us and on our children! N. Then he released Barabbas for them. He ordered Jesus to be first scourged and then handed over to be crucified. The governor’s soldiers took Jesus with them into the Praetorium and collected the whole cohort round him. Then they stripped him and made him wear a scarlet cloak, and having twisted some thorns into a crown they put this on his head and placed a reed in his right hand. To make fun of him they knelt to him saying, C. Hail, king of the Jews! N. And they spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head with it. And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the cloak and dressed him in his own clothes and led him away to crucify him. On their way out, they came across a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and enlisted him to carry his cross. When they had reached a place called Golgotha, that is, the place of the skull, they gave him wine to drink mixed with gall, which he tasted but refused to drink. When they had finished crucifying him they shared out his clothing by casting lots, and then sat down and stayed there keeping guard over him. Above his head was placed the charge against him; it read: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’ At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. The passers-by jeered at him; they shook their heads and said, C. So you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days! Then save yourself! If you are God’s son, come down from the cross! N. The chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him in the same way, saying: C. 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 puts his trust in God; now let God rescue him if he wants him. For he did say, ‘I am the son of God.’ N. Even the robbers who were crucified with him taunted him in the same way. From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ✠ Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? N. That is, ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ When some of those who stood there heard this, they said, C. The man is calling on Elijah. N. and one of them quickly ran to get a sponge which he dipped in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it him to drink. The rest of them said: C. Wait! See if Elijah will come to save him. N. But Jesus, again crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit. Here all kneel and pause for a short time. At that, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked; the rocks were split; the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy men rose from the dead, and these, after his resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the Holy City and appeared to a number of people. Meanwhile the centurion, together with the others guarding Jesus, had seen the earthquake and all that was taking place, and they were terrified and said, C. In truth this was a son of God.

N. And many women were there, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. When it was evening, there came a rich man of Arimathea, called Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate thereupon ordered it to be handed over. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre. Next day, that is, when Preparation Day was over, the chief priests and the Pharisees went in a body to Pilate and said to him, C. Your Excellency, we recall that this impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I shall rise again.’ Therefore give the order to have the sepulchre kept secure until the third day, for fear his disciples come and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ This last piece of fraud would be worse than what went before. N. Pilate said to them: O. You may have your guard. Go and make all as secure as you know how. N. So they went and made the sepulchre secure, putting seals on the stone and mounting a guard.

Prayer over the Offerings

Through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son, O Lord, may our reconciliation with you be near at hand, so that, though we do not merit it by our own deeds, yet by this sacrifice made once for all, we may feel already the effects of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mt 26: 42

Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

Prayer after Communion

Nourished with these sacred gifts, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, just as through the death of your Son you have brought us to hope for what we believe, so by his Resurrection you may lead us to where you call. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday: green branches and the dead wood of the cross, life and death; these form the series of poles that frame the great Holy Week that we open today. It is a week of joy and suffering, a week in which opposites coexist, a week in which life is reborn from death and triumphs definitively in man and through the man God, Jesus Christ; it is the week in which God embraces the fragility of man and raises humanity up. Through the procession, we commemorate this memorial of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but more than that, we affirm our willingness to live with him in his passion to rise with him from all our deaths. The story of the passion, with all its violence and contradictions, exposes the reality of the world that God comes to save by giving his Son as an atoning victim: Between the acclamation and passion, the hosanna and the crucify him of the same crowd, between the “I will lay down my life for you” and the “I do not know this man” of the apostle Peter who denies his master, in the face of all this fickleness of the crowds and his friends, Jesus remains faithful and determined to go to the end of the love he bears for each one of them, for every sinner. How similar this crowd is to us! How many times we have denied him to save our honour, our image, how many times we have abandoned him, life with him is too demanding. Finally, in the passion of Christ, no situation is foreign so that nothing is excluded from salvation; joy and suffering, denial and betrayal, condemnation and death, everything is directed towards the cross and concentrated on it so that God may make all things new and men may be saved.