Sunday 2 April 2023 – Palm Sunday

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew – Short form (27, 11-54

Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Are you the king of the Jews?
At that time Jesus appeared before the governor, and the governor questioned him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You say so.” And while the chief priests and the elders accused him, he answered nothing.

So Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many testimonies they bring against you?” But he didn’t answer him even a word, so much so that the governor was very surprised. At each feast, the governor used to release one prisoner of their choice for the crowd. At that time they had a famous prisoner named Barabbas. Therefore, to the people who had gathered, Pilate said: «Who do you want me to release for you: Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?». In fact, he knew well that they had given him to him out of envy.

As he sat in court, his wife sent word to him, “Don’t deal with that righteous man, because today in a dream I was very upset because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. Then the governor asked them, “Of these two, which one do you want me to release for you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate asked them: «But then, what will I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?». Everyone replied: “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “But what harm has he done?” Then they cried out louder: “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate, seeing that he obtained nothing, rather that the tumult increased, took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying: «I am not responsible for this blood. Think about it yourself!». And all the people answered, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas for them and, after having Jesus scourged, delivered him to be crucified.

– Hail, king of the Jews!
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered all the troops around him. They stripped him naked, put on a scarlet cloak, wove a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. Then, kneeling before him, they mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” Spitting on him, they took the reed from his hand and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of his cloak and put his own clothes back on him, then led him away to crucify him.

Two robbers were crucified with him
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and forced him to carry his cross. When they arrived at the place called Gòlgota, which means “Place of the skull”, they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. He tasted it, but would not drink it. After they crucified him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. Then, sitting down, they kept watch over him. Above his head they placed the written reason for his condemnation: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Together with him two robbers were crucified, one on the right and one on the left.

– If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!
Those who passed by insulted him, shaking their heads and saying: “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and the elders, making fun of him said: «He saved others and he cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel; come down now from the cross and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; release him, now, if he loves him. In fact, he said: “I am the Son of God”! ». Even the robbers crucified with him reviled him in the same way.

– Eli, Eli, lemà sabachthani?
At noon he got dark all over the land, until three in the afternoon. Around three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “Eli, Eli, lemà sabachthani?”, which means: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Hearing this, some of those present said: «He is calling Elijah». And immediately one of them ran to get a sponge, soaked it in vinegar, fixed it on a rod and gave him a drink. The others said: «Let go! Let’s see if Elia comes to save him!». But Jesus again cried out with a loud voice and let out his spirit.

(Here he genuflects and takes a short break)

And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two, from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were split, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of saints, who had died, were resurrected. Coming out of the tombs, after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion, and those who were guarding Jesus with him, at the sight of the earthquake and what was happening, were seized with great fear and said: “Truly this was the Son of God!”.

Word of the Lord.