Faithfulness Under Pressure
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April 12, 2019The readings for Palm or Passion Sunday are the most dramatic of the whole year.
They recount the entire story of Christ’s death from Holy Thursday through Good Friday. One of the unusual aspects of this week’s Gospel reading is that it is the one time during the year when all of us take part in proclaiming the Word of God by participating in the Gospel reading.
In Christ’s Passion, there were saints and sinners, enemies and friends. And we can find ourselves in any one of these categories. This Gospel reading challenges us to consider areas of our lives in which we deny Christ. We might not see ourselves denying Jesus three times in front of a crowd as Peter did, but do we deny him in small ways through the little sins we commit each day? And while there was only one Judas who sold our Lord for thirty pieces of silver, we might find ourselves in Judas’ company when we reject Christ completely and turn our backs on him in mortal sin.
On the other hand, the Gospel reading also holds up beautiful models of love and fidelity: Mary Magdalene, John, our Blessed Mother, and the women who go to the tomb where Jesus is buried show us the most noble characteristics of a follower of Christ.
Which characters from the Passion narrative do you identify with the most?Click HERE to watch a short video
1st Reading Reflection Discussion 2nd Readin Reflection Digging Deeper Gospel Reflection Join us for Fellowship with FORMED + Lunch
Invite a friend or family
(Sunday @ 12:00 noon in the Hall)
1st Reading ReflectionThis reading from Isaiah gives us a rare view into the personal life and struggles of Isaiah. Although a prophet, Isaiah usually refers to himself as simply the “servant of God.” Isaiah was faithful and for this faithfulness he suffered. His suffering was very intense and painful, yet freely and nobly accepted. Despite suffering, Isaiah endures in faithfulness and acknowledges the Lord’s help as the cause of his ability to endure. Isaiah is confident and trusts that God will take care of him.
Isaiah’s ministry and life are a prefigurement of Jesus Christ. As a prophet and servant of God, Isaiah prophesies, not only by his words but also by his very life, the future Man-God. The faithfulness and suffering of Isaiah point to a similar pattern in the life of Christ. Isaiah’s description of his suffering as the servant of God foretells and describes the passion and death of Christ. Isaiah, as faithful prophet and suffering servant, is a model in miniature of the Prophet and Servant of God, Jesus Christ, whose suffering and faithfulness will far surpass that of Isaiah’s. As we prepare for Holy Week and the death and resurrection of Christ, Isaiah reminds us of the suffering that Christ endured for us.
2nd Reading Reflection
St. Paul tells us that the attitude of Christ was that of not taking advantage of his great powers and privileges as God. Instead, Jesus accepts the humble condition of a slave, with an attitude of selfless surrender and great generosity. This attitude is paralleled in the life of St. Paul. In Philippians 3:5, Paul describes the privileged position he had as a Jew, and says that he gave everything up for Christ. Neither Paul nor Christ had to serve yet they chose to do so out of love. This is the attitude St. Paul recommends, not to take advantage of our state, but to become humble and take the status of servants of others.What is the result of such service? The Father rewards the humility of Christ by exalting him and making him Lord of his kingdom.
Gospel Reflection
The Palm or Passion Sunday Liturgy is one of high drama. At one point in the liturgical history of the Church, Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday were separate celebrations. The combination of the two provides a tremendous note of irony and each has to be considered in light of the other.
Between Good Friday sorrow and Easter joy, each part of the story needs its moment. The Church knows us and our needs and gives to each part of the story its proper place for our emotional good. Each Eucharist, because it includes the whole mystery of Christ, includes both movements; sorrow and joy. We begin the Mass with the Penitential Rite and end with the Communion Rite. The Eucharistic meal includes both the Passover Seder Supper of Holy Thursday night and the sacrifice of Calvary on Good Friday. The Lord we truly receive in Holy Communion is the Risen Lord of Glory, who’s present in the consecrated Host, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Because the Palm Sunday Liturgy includes both the foretaste of Christ’s glory in the procession of the palms and the bitter agony leading up to the sacrifice on Calvary, it’s a good time to reflect upon the nature of the Eucharist as the whole of the mystery of Christ.
DISCUSSION:
The presenter, Father John Riley, discussed how we find different roles in today’s Gospel reading of the Passion story, some good and some bad. He mentioned characters who proved to be unfaithful during Christ’s passion and others who serve as models we are called to emulate. In the video,
- What characters and roles were described as part of the Passion story?
- What additional roles did other characters play in the Passion narrative?
- What role(s) do you think you have played in the past?
- What character do you identify with the most at this point in your life? Why?
PRAY & MEDIATE:
PRAYER: In this study you have discussed the various roles in the Passion narrative, and you have considered with which character you can relate the most. Now in prayer, enter into the Passion narrative in your chosen role—the character from the Passion with whom you identify the most. Reread the parts of the Passion narrative in which your character appears and imagine being that person. How do you feel playing this part? How do you react to the events taking place? What do you say as the events unfold? Now imagine that Jesus sees you. What do you think he would say to you? What would you say to him?
RESOLUTION: Imagine that you are at the foot of the cross, gazing up at our crucified Lord. What are one or two practical things you can do this week to keep in mind the Passion events and remain a faithful follower of our Lord in the face of your daily challenges?
Reflections reprinted with permission from Opening the Word at Formed.org .
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