passion1

April 13

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Sunday, April 13, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Luke 22:14–23:56

Jesus’s Passion and Death

Prayerthoughts

a. What do I learn from what happened to Jesus (take these one at a time, spending time with each one): at the Last Supper, at the Garden of Gethsemane, at his interaction with the Sanhedrin; his interaction with Pilate; his interaction with Herod; his mockery from the soldiers, the way of the Cross, his crucifixion, his interaction with the two criminals, his death.

b. What do I learn from how these people reacted to Jesus’s Passion and Death (take one at a time, spending time with each one): Judas Iscariot, the Apostles, Peter, Pilate, the soldiers who punished and crucified Jesus, Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea.

c. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will pray Psalm 22 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

COMPASSION EVEN WHILE IN PAIN

Scripture scholars argue that each of the writers of the Gospel—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—had their own reasons for writing the Gospel as they did. For Luke throughout his Gospel, it was the message of Jesus’ mercy, compassion and healing. He remembers many compassionate acts of Jesus that no other evangelist records.

Luke’s passion account is characteristic of the type of compassion Jesus showed throughout his life. He alone reminds us that although the other evangelists speak of Jesus’ arrest, no one else records that Jesus healed the servant that Peter had struck in defense of Jesus. Only the Gospel of Luke records that Jesus also visited Herod, and although he did not show Jesus immediate compassion, there was a healing of sorts that took place since Pilate and Herod became friends that very day. Luke alone records the words of consolation and direction that Jesus addresses to the women who were accompanying Jesus’s way of the cross. Likewise no other evangelist reminds us about how Jesus treated the repentant criminal that was crucified with him.

Thinking of those things leads us to think in terms of our own compassion, mercy and healing as we prepare to enter this, the holiest of all weeks of our Church year. It leads us to ask the difficult questions of whether we are showing the compassion and mercy that is truly the Christian way of living.

One of the great insights to the example that Jesus gives during Luke’s passion narrative is a proof of a truly compassionate person, namely, that even though the person is suffering him/or herself, that person still finds time to help or show compassion toward someone who is suffering. The suffering Jesus who shows compassion, mercy and healing becomes an important example for all of us.

We all have our own situations in which we inwardly desire others to feel with us. Maybe we do not say it, but it is in our minds. All of us have situations that affect us with the thought that no one else can feel this pain that I have right now. Therefore, it is to all of us that Luke’s Jesus speaks.

Even though there may be pain and the fact of discomfort in what is going on in our own lives, we are called to show compassion, mercy and healing of sorts to those around us. It is true especially for our immediate families but it is also true of others no matter who they are. We have the opportunity to show those compassionate acts every time that we are in the presence of others.

There are many reasons to meditate on Luke’s Gospel account of the passion of our savior Jesus Christ. If we center in on just one, it may be the person that we have come to call the “good thief.” Even though Jesus was in the midst of immense pain himself, he showed compassion and understanding for the criminal. It is both a great consolation and a great example.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Passion of the Christ" -- beginning session

JESUS'S PASSION I

The Gospel

MARK 14:32-72

MARK 14:32-72

They came to a place named Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James and John and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand."
Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes and the elders....He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear....They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together....
Peter was below in the courtyard; one of the high priest's maids came along...and said "You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it....Then Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." He broke down and wept.

Gospelthink: I should spend some time thinking about the denials of Judas and Peter.

Director Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" has been called one of the most moving movies of all time. It is moving because of the subject matter. Christians cannot help but be interested in a film about their leader. This movie is that and much more. Some critics have called it the most violent film they have ever seen. It is clear that Mel Gibson wanted to make graphic and inescapable the price that Jesus paid when he died for our sins, as Christians believe he did. But the movie is also a commentary about the feelings of Jesus and his mother Mary.
The first part of the passion of Jesus is portrayed during this session of the movie that includes: the agony in the Garden, the betrayal by Judas, the initial feelings of Jesus' Mother Mary, the dream of Pontius Pilate's wife, the interrogation by the chief priests, the betrayal of Peter, the death of Judas, and the first visit to Pilate.

During one of the scenes of the first part of the movie "The Passion of the Christ," Jesus' mother Mary senses where Jesus is being kept overnight by his captors. Jesus is in chains. Mary goes to him in love wanting with all her heart to help him if she possibly can.

As Mary, we may not be able to help Jesus as he suffered years ago, but we can be aware of what he wanted to do, and reflecting on it, both thank him, and be more willing to follow him as our Savior.

THOUGHT
What should Jesus' passion and death mean to you personally?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son suffered in a violent way for us. As we think of his passion and death, our attitude should be that of his friends and especially his mother. Give us the inspiration to love you all the more, and the desire to follow your Son better than we are now. Be with us, we pray.