After the triumphal “Commemoration of Jesus Entry into Jerusalem,” we change directions and concentrate on Christ’s passion and death. In the Collect (Opening Prayer), we ask that we “may heed [Jesus’] lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection.” In this prayer, we are reminded that we do not pretend we don’t know the end of the story. We will hear the passion and death story today, but we know the Resurrection will follow. Consider these questions: How do people I know follow Jesus’ lesson of patient suffering? How have I observed his lesson of patient suffering in myself?
We read the Passion according to Matthew 26:14-27:66. Each of the four Gospels including these stories, but each one emphasizes different things. Spend some time in prayer outside of Mass reading the Passion account. Read it slowly and imagine yourself as a bystander or a character in the story. Or read a little at a time and note any words, phrases, or images that strike you. Reflect on this question: What does the passion and death of Christ mean in my day-to-day life?
The Preface includes these words: “For, though innocent, [Jesus] suffered willingly for sinners and accepted unjust condemnation to save the guilty. His Death has washed away our sins, and his Resurrection has purchased our justification.” Reflection Opportunity: Reflect on the meaning of each of these words from today’s Preface: innocent; suffered; willingly; accepted; unjust; condemnation; guilty. Think about them as they apply to your life, e.g. How am I innocent? How have I suffered? What do I do willingly or unwillingly? How, when, where have I exercised acceptance? What do I think is unjust? Who have I condemned? What guilt do I carry around? What does it mean if my sins are “washed away”?
Today we enter the holiest week of the year. Lent is coming to a close. Are we ready to renew our baptismal commitment to discipleship as a follower of Christ in just a few days?