READ MT 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54 One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE GOSPEL.
UNDERSTAND by Father Greg Friedman, OFM
Some years ago, I saw an exhibit of paintings by Monet. Seeing a lifetime of work by that artist, rather than viewing one isolated painting, helped me appreciate the larger context of Monet’s artistry. And this Sunday context is important at Mass as we hear Matthew’s account of the passion of Jesus. Matthew wrote for both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity, and drew on the Old Testament for his story of Jesus the Suffering Servant. His audience would understand the larger context: Jesus fulfills the promises God made to the chosen people. Unfortunately, some Christians in later centuries used Matthew’s words as a reason to charge all the Jews of Christ’s time--or even Jews of later generations--with his death. Matthew’s language often doesn’t help--for example when the crowds ask that Jesus’ “blood be upon us and our children.” This antagonistic tone may reflect a real hostility between Matthew’s community living 40 or 50 years after Christ, and the Jewish community of the time which did not accept Jesus. But there’s no excuse for antisemitism. Pope John Paul has urged an end to the hatred and misunderstanding between Christians and Jews. You and I can help foster such reconciliation by a careful--and prayerful--reading of the passion narratives.
DISCUSS by Father Dan Kroger, OFM • This week's first reading (Isaiah 50:4-7) focuses on how the servant of God will suffer. What are some of the sufferings that Isaiah foresees?
Why is the suffering servant confident and unashamed of the suffering he must endure?
Is Jesus like that suffering servant? • In the second reading (Phil 2:6-11), St. Paul describes how Jesus did not refuse suffering, even though he was God. What are the words of St. Paul? (Hint: Jesus _________ himself.)
Why did God "greatly exalt Jesus"?
Can you see the pattern of Jesus' life? Humbled, but exalted?
Do you and I have to do that sometimes? Does it make us happy in the end? • According to the Gospel (Mt 26:14—27:11-54), why did Jesus endure this injustice of death on the cross?
The Romans used this bloody, painful death on a cross to threaten people. If you broke the Roman law, this could happen to you!
Jesus could have avoided this suffering. Why do you think he accepted it?
ACT by Susan Hines-Brigger • Because of the coronavirus, we can't gather together with people the way Jesus did with his disciples for the Last Supper. We can, however, prepare a family meal at home. Consider preparing a Seder meal for Passover (on the night of April 8 this year). You can learn about Passover and the Seder at myjewishlearning.org.
• How is your family celebrating your faith during this pandemic? I have been enjoying all the creative ideas I've been seeing on social media. Post the ways your family is maintaining its faith and spreading peace and goodness in these troubled times using the hashtags #faithandfamily and #peaceandgood. And tag @FranciscanMedia in your posts. Let's help each other get through this.