The Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), 28 March 2010

The Readings for The Sunday of the Passion

At the Liturgy of the Palms

Saint Luke 19:28-40

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

At the Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Saint Luke 22:14 – 23:56

BACKGROUND

Before the revisions to the Roman Liturgy that began with Vatican II in the late 1960s (which reforms were soon taken up by Anglicans and Lutherans as well) the Sunday of the Passion was observed as the Last Sunday in Lent, and was then followed on the following Sunday with Palm Sunday.  With the reform of the lectionary, and the introduction of the three-year cycle of readings, also came reform of the calendar as well.  Lent, as a penitential season, was devoted to catechetics (preparations for Baptism) and the emphasis on the Passion of Jesus was removed to the services of Holy Week and the Triduum (The Three Days – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and The Vigil of Easter).  Thus, Palm Sunday and its procession with Palms was combined with the Sunday of the Passion and its reading of the Passion of the Lord.  Therefore there are additional readings commented on here.  The Liturgy of the Palms has its own Gospel and Psalm, and The Liturgy of the Word for the Sunday of the Passion has its usual set of readings.

The Liturgy of the Palms

 

Saint Luke 19:28-40

 

After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

"Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

All of the Gospels share this particular reading, and each adds his own specific elements.  Jesus enters Jerusalem via Jericho, taking a route that would have been well known to the thousands of pilgrims who had “gone up to Jersusalem” before him.  We need to look at the passage for what it says, and not sentimentalize it, as is so often the case.  The donkey was not a sign of humility, but rather a common beast of burden in the Ancient Near East.  Kings road on donkeys as well as horses, and here Jesus enters as any person of note might have.  There is an allusion to a passage from Zechariah 9:9 which talks about “your king coming to you…seated on a colt”.  Both Matthew and John make the reference explicit, but Luke, perhaps mindful that his audience may not be familiar with the Hebrew prophets does not.  A second quotation is from Psalm 118:26a, “Blessed is he…” which we will recognize from its quotation in the Sanctus which we either sing or say at every Eucharist.  This entry into Jerusalem is symbolic on so many levels, for it is Jesus who only a short time before reminded his hearers, that it is Jerusalem that kills the prophets.  This reading allows us to journey with Jesus into a momentous week.

Breaking Open St. Luke:

1. What are your childhood remembrances of Palm Sunday?
2. Read through the verse and make note of the visuals that are suggested.  What does the scene look like to you?
3. Why does Luke quote Psalm 118?  What did the Psalm verse originally mean, and what does this say about Jesus?
4. What would the stones shout out (last verse)?

Psalm 118 Confitemini Domino

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

Let Israel now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

Open for me the gates of righteousness; *

I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.

"This is the gate of the LORD; *

he who is righteous may enter."

I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *

and have become my salvation.

The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the LORD'S doing, *

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

On this day the LORD has acted; *

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *

LORD, send us now success.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *

we bless you from the house of the LORD.

God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *

form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

"You are my God, and I will thank you; *

you are my God, and I will exalt you."

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

This psalm is thematically related to the Gospel for the Palm Sunday Procession, and indeed may mirror for us a temple liturgy.  There is a “progress” to the psalm as it moves from the gates of the temple to the altar of sacrifice.  Some verses have become crucial in expressing Christian theology, especially verse 22, “The same stone with the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”  In addition, the verse concerning the progress of either priests or king, (blessed is he who comes) is sung in the Sanctus during the Eucharistic Liturgy.  The altar is described as having “horns”, and indeed ancient Canaanite altars had such, as is illustrated below.  In sum, the psalm gives thanks for all the graces received and perceived in the temple precincts.

Breaking open Psalm 118

1. What are the blessings that the psalmist recounts in the psalm?
2. How might a Jewish reader perceive this psalm?  How might a Christian perceive it?

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The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord GOD has given me

the tongue of a teacher,

that I may know how to sustain

the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens--

wakens my ear

to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord GOD has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious,

I did not turn backward.

I gave my back to those who struck me,

and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;

I did not hide my face

from insult and spitting.

The Lord GOD helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries?

Let them confront me.

It is the Lord GOD who helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

This reading comes from the so-called Suffering Servant Songs that are found in Second Isaiah (Chapters 42 – 53).  This selection is from the third of these songs, and its inclusion on this particular Sunday is obvious with its references to the sufferings that parallel the sufferings recounted in the passion of Jesus.  Who the Suffering Servant was for Second Isaiah, we cannot be certain, although it was probably Israel itself.  For Christians, reading these songs, the connection with Jesus is easy, and it serves as an Old Testament background and context to the Passion Narrative.  The Gospel writers would use such materials to tie Jesus to ancient prophecies, and to show him as fulfillment of those hopes.

Breaking open Isaiah

1. What kind of suffering might have ancient Israel experienced that led this Isaiah to write this poem?
2. How do you think about the sufferings of Jesus?
3. How do you think about the sufferings of the world?

Psalm 31:9-16  In te, Domine, speravi

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *

my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.

For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; *

my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.

I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,

a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *

when they see me in the street they avoid me.

I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *

I am as useless as a broken pot.

For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; *

they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *

I have said, "You are my God.

My times are in your hand; *

rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

Make your face to shine upon your servant, *

and in your loving-kindness save me."

This is a David psalm, in which the author laments about his problems, and his status over against his enemies.  It is a relatively common type of psalm, and its content is repeated in various other psalms.  Reading it on this particular Sunday, we could easily put the words of this psalm into the mouth of Jesus.  The value of this psalm is in its emotional intensity, which gives us a clue about the sufferings of Jesus and the sufferings of the world.

Breaking open Psalm 31

1. What kind of image do you have of the author of this psalm?
2. What kinds of laments do you have in your life?

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death--

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave 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 should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

 

This passage, the so-called “kenosis” (emptying) reading is perhaps one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.  It may actually be a quote of an ancient Christian hymn.  In it Paul talks about Jesus “emptying himself” and becoming totally receptive to the plan that God the Father has for him.  These verses became the basis of a  series of Protestant debates in the sixteenth century, and was briefly the focus of theological discussion around the doctrine of the incarnation during the nineteenth century.  Most interpretations look to Paul’s quotation of this hymn as a call for all of us to empty ourselves to God’s will.

Breaking open Philippians:

1. How did Jesus humble himself?
2. How do you open up yourself to God?
3. What does it mean to confess “Jesus Christ is Lord”?

Saint Luke 22:14 – 23:56

When the hour for the Passover meal came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

"You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me."

He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, `And he was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It is enough."

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." All of them asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!"]

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."

Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

I am reluctant to comment on the Passion, and encourage you only to read it through and feel its power.  Luke borrows a great deal of material from Mark and has some features that are uniquely his.  It is best, when reading the material to keep in mind Luke’s devotion to the poor, and his use of women in his narrative.  He is at a disadvantage in that the theology and iconography of the Passion is so dependent on Old Testament archtypes and images.  Mark, Matthew, and John are better at this.  What is important to remember is that Luke is translating this for a gentile audience, and it is interesting to see what he underscores as important.

Breaking open the Gospel:

1. Do the poor make an appearance in Luke’s Narrative?
2. What kind of roles do the women have?
3. Which Gentiles are mentioned, and what roles do they have?

After breaking open the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.