Lenten Sundays

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Thursday, 6 April 2023 : Holy Thursday, Chrism Mass (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Isaiah 61 : 1-3a, 6a, 8b-9

The Spirit of the Lord YHVH is upon Me, because YHVH has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to the captives, freedom to those languishing in prison; to announce the year of YHVH’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God; to give comfort to all who grieve; (to comfort those who mourn in Zion) and give them a garland instead of ashes.

But you will be named priests of YHVH, you will be called ministers of our God. I will give them their due reward and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a race YHVH has blessed.

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord marks the beginning of the Holy Week and the entry into this most solemn and important period of time when we commemorate the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole world, the moment when He suffered for us all, bearing all the burdens of our sins and mistakes, our faults and iniquities, all the wickedness and evils we have committed, so that by His most generous and selfless love, shown to us in His loving sacrifice on the Cross, all of us may be saved and be brought into the assurance of eternal life and glory with Him. The Lord has willingly done all of these, in obedience to the will of His heavenly Father so that by His sacrifice offered most worthily on our behalf, each and every one of us may find the path to eternal life by the full reconciliation and the New and Eternal Covenant that He made, as our Eternal High Priest, all of which we commemorate during this most Holy Week.

In our Gospel reading today, which was read at the beginning of the Holy Mass, we heard the passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew detailing the time when the Lord was about to enter into the city of Jerusalem for His upcoming Passion as we all certainly well know of, that moment when the Lord rode on a donkey and welcomed into the city of Jerusalem with the people waving palm branches and putting their clothes for Him to pass through, as if He is the King that came in glory to enter into His City. This is why we call this Sunday’s celebration as Palm Sunday in the first place. It marks first of all the commemoration of the glorious entry of the King of Kings and the rightful King of Israel, the Son and Heir of David, entering into the City of His glorious inheritance and dominion, as the Lord has revealed in advance through His prophets and messengers, like that of the prophet Zechariah, who prophesied that the King and Messiah would come to His City riding on a humble donkey.

All of that had been fulfilled in the actions of the Lord Jesus that day, Who chose a donkey with its colt, or its young one, which had not borne any burden before. The donkey that had been tied on the pole itself is rich in symbolism, as it represents the first-called among God’s people, the Israelites, that had been burdened by many of the sins of their ancestors and by their enslavement in the hands of many rulers and oppressors, and the Lord freeing the donkey from its bondage has the symbolic meaning of His coming that is meant to bring true freedom to the people of God, beginning with the descendants of Israel, and then the colt, which represents the Gentiles, or the non-Jewish people, who followed along as the Lord rode on the donkey, representing His dominion and rule over not only the Jewish people, the descendants of the Israelites, but also over the Gentiles and hence over the whole world. His Kingship is Universal and inclusive, and all encompassing instead of just ruling over the Jewish people only.

Then, there is the symbolism of the donkey itself, as a humble beast of burden typically used as the means to carry the weight of cargo and objects that were not usually meant for carrying a human being, less so for One Who is a King, and less still supposedly for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the King of all the whole Universe, coming upon His City and people. Yet, the fact that the Lord rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey and not on a mighty warhorse or other extravagant rides that other worldly rulers often rode on, highlighted the true nature of His Kingship and His mission in this world. He did not come to this world to conquer and to destroy, unlike what earthly and worldly kings usually do, and He did not come to lead His people in a war of liberation and resistance against the Romans or any others, unlike what many of the Jewish people in the past often mistakenly believed.

Instead, He came into this world and into our midst to bring His Peace upon us, to show us the love that He has always had for us from the very beginning, real and tangible in the flesh. He came into this world to serve and not to be served, to reach out to the least amongst us, and to every single one of us without exception. He does not discriminate against us, and He wants each and every one of us to be reconciled with Him, and that is why He came into our midst, to dwell and walk amongst us, and to show us His most generous love, so much so that He was willing to pay the ultimate price in order to do so. And that leads us to the second part of our celebration today, that as we proceed triumphantly with Christ to the Altar, entering with Him to the Holy City of Jerusalem, we then enter into a new phase of this Sunday’s events, as we remember what would take place within merely days after that glorious event.

That is when we remember how it was likely that many of the same people who have cried out with great joy and enthusiasm, ‘Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord’, were the same ones who later on cried out on Good Friday, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ and ‘We have no King but Caesar!’. Through that we can see just how the mood and the attitude of the people so quickly changed within just a matter of a few days, from one of jubilation and adoration to one of disgust and rejection. No doubt that there must have been some coercion, persuasion and jockeying going around back then, as the members of the Jewish High Council or the Sanhedrin, which were mostly against the Lord and some were even openly hostile, must have encouraged, coerced and persuaded many of the people that the Lord Jesus was the False Messiah and a traitor to the Jewish nation and people, for His supposedly blasphemous teaching and actions against God.

All of these had been predicted beforehand by God Himself as He revealed it through His prophets, in what we heard from our first reading today, as we progress from the glorious procession of palms into Jerusalem towards the true nature of our Lord’s ministry and what He would do for each and every one of us. The prophet Isaiah spoke curiously on the Suffering Servant, the One Whom God would send to be with His people, and how this Servant of God would suffer and endure grievous beating and hardships, torture and trials, as He obeyed perfectly the will of the One Who had sent Him to us. He would be humiliated and made to suffer for the sins of the people of God, a reading that we shall further explore on Good Friday, in which that passage refer to the same Servant, Who would be lifted up high and exalted, that by His wounds and stripes, all of us would be healed, a clear reference to what the Lord Jesus Himself would do for our sake.

We heard how the Lord humbled Himself and emptied Himself of all glory, as we heard from our second reading passage from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful in Philippi. The Apostle St. Paul spoke of how the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, obeyed His Father’s will so perfectly, and humbled Himself such that He was willing to endure a most humiliating and painful death on the Cross, so that by His most selfless offering of Himself, and by His obedience, He became the Source of Hope and Salvation for all of us mankind, for the whole entire world. Through Christ, all of us have become sharers and partakers in the New and Eternal Covenant that He has established with all of us, as He is the Mediator of this Covenant, through which He has brought us into full reconciliation between us and the Lord God, our loving Father and Creator.

This is what we have essentially heard through the long Passion narrative this Sunday, reminding us all of everything that Our Lord had done for our sake, in Him enduring the worst of punishments for us. He has not ignored or abandoned our plight and suffering, and by His ever enduring love and compassion towards us, He willingly took upon His shoulders and embraced us fully, and in His sharing of our human nature and existence, He took it upon Himself to offer on our behalf a most worthy offering, the offering of His own Most Precious Body and Most Precious Blood, as the Paschal Lamb of God, crushed and sacrificed for us, that He offered Himself on the Altar of His Cross at Calvary, He brought upon us the certainty of salvation and eternal life. All of us who believe in Him and in the truth that He has revealed to us, will receive from Him the gift of everlasting grace and life.

Thus, this Sunday as we mark the beginning of this most Holy Week, the Week celebrating and commemorating the most important events in the history of our salvation, let us all therefore immerse ourselves more deeply into the Lord’s Passion and all that He had done for us, as we remember how He began the final week of His most important mission, that is to offer and sacrifice Himself for our sake. Let us all remember the actions of our great and most loving King, Who has come into our midst to be with us, and to redeem all of us. Let us remember how He came humbly riding on a donkey into Jerusalem, hailed and adored by the people only to be cast out and rejected just barely a few days later, betrayed by His own disciple and condemned to death for sins and faults that He Himself did not commit. Yet, He had borne all of that upon Himself because He loves each and every one of us, and He wanted that by His selfless offering and sacrifice, and by His suffering and death, all of us may be saved, and has sure path to eternal life.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore as we enter into this most solemn and important week, the holiest of all the weeks of the whole entire year, let us all spend some time to reflect on our Lenten journey thus far and how we have lived our lives in this world. Lent is a time for us to rediscover our true path in life towards God and to recalibrate and reconnect ourselves with God and His path especially if we have erred and wandered down the wrong path. And as we enter into this Holy Week of Our Lord’s Passion, each one of us are called to remind ourselves why our Lord has done all these for us, and that again, first of all, is because of His love for us. We have sinned against the Lord, and we should have deserved damnation and destruction for our faults and sins, and yet, God willingly came to us, and through His Passion, He showed us the path to a new life with Him, and by His sufferings, He shouldered the punishments of our own sins meant for us.

Let us all remember how God has been so patient with us and how much He has loved us, that He came into our midst to live amongst us and to suffer with us and for us. Let us all no longer harden our hearts and minds, and be no longer stubborn as many of our predecessors who have frequently and constantly rejected the Lord and His generous offer of love and mercy. Let us all look upon the Crucified Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, and see His loving gaze, ever always directed at us, so that we may indeed be ashamed by our many sins and wrongdoings, all of which had inflicted the many injuries and wounds that He had to painfully bear for our sake, and yet which He bore willingly and lovingly nonetheless because He truly and really loves us very much. Therefore, let us all deepen our appreciation of everything that Our Lord and Saviour had done for us, and deepen our relationship with Him.

May the Lord, our King and Saviour, our High Priest and our Paschal Lamb, He Who has done so much for us for our salvation, continue to be with us and guide us patiently as He has always done, so that we may grow ever more in faith in Him, and learn to love Him more and more, especially as we enter into this time of most solemn commemoration of His Passion, His suffering and death during this Holy Week and the upcoming Easter Triduum. Today, let us not just acclaim Him with our words and mouth only, but let us all acclaim Him from deep within our hearts. May He help us all to remain focused on Him and may He empower each every one of us so that we may persevere ever more against the many challenges, trials and temptations in life. May God bless us all in our every good works, efforts and endeavours, so that in everything we do, we may truly be ever more faithful to Him and be exemplary role models and good examples for others to follow, that through us and our actions, many more may come to believe in God and be saved. Wishing all of us a most blessed, holy and fruitful Holy Week. Amen.

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Passion Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Matthew 26 : 14 – Matthew 27 : 66

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “How much will you give me if I hand Him over to you?” They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Jesus answered, “Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says : My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with My disciples in your house.'”

The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you : one of you will betray Me.” They were deeply distressed, and they asked Him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do You, Lord?”

He answered, “The one who dips his bread with Me will betray Me. The Son of Man is going as the Scripture says He will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man : better for him not to have been born.” Judas, who was betraying Him, also asked, “You do not mean me, Master, do You?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said a blessing and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat : this is My Body.” Then He took a cup, and gave thanks, and passed it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you, for this is My Blood, the Blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Yes, I say to you : From now on I will not taste the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink new wine with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will falter tonight because of Me, and all will fall. For the Scripture says : I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. But after My resurrection, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

Peter responded, “Even though all doubt You and fall, I will never fall.” Jesus replied, “Truly I say to you : this very night before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said, “Though I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and He began to be filled with anguish and distress. And He said to them, “My soul is full of sorrow, even to death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.”

He went a little farther and fell to the ground, with His face touching the earth, and prayed, “Father, if it is possible, take this cup away from Me. Yet not what I want, but what You want.” He went back to His disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, “Could you not stay awake with Me for even an hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you may not slip into temptation. The spirit indeed is eager, but the body is weak.”

He again went away, and prayed, “Father, if this cup cannot be taken away from Me without My drinking it, let Your will be done.” When He came back to His disciples, He again found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them again, and went to pray the third time, saying the same words.

Then He came back to His disciples and said to them, “You can sleep on now and take your rest! The hour has come, and the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look : the betrayer is here!” Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Jewish authorities.

The traitor had arranged a signal for them : “The One I kiss, He is the Man; arrest Him.” Judas went directly to Jesus and said, “Good evening, Master”; and he gave Him a kiss. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

One of those who were with Jesus drew his sword, and struck at the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear. So Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for he who uses the sword will perish by the sword. Do you not know that I could call on My Father, and He would at once send Me more than twelve legions of Angels. If Scripture says that this has to be, should it not be fulfilled?”

At that moment, Jesus said to the crowd, “Why do you come to arrest Me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Day after day I was seated among you teaching in the Temple, yet you did not arrest Me. But all this has come about in fulfilment of what the Prophets said.” Then all His disciples deserted Him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus brought Him to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, where the teachers of the Law and the elders were assembled. Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the High Priest; he entered and sat with the guards, waiting to see the end. The chief priests and the whole Supreme Council needed some false evidence against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.

But they were unable to find any, even though false witnesses came forward. At last, two men came up and declared, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'” The High Priest then stood up and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer at all? What is this evidence against You?” But Jesus kept silent.

So the High Priest said to Him, “In the Name of the living God, I command You to tell us : Are You the Messiah, the Son of God?” Jesus answered, “It is just as you say. I tell you more : from now on, you will see the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of God most powerful, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the High Priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has blasphemed. What more evidence do we need? You have just heard these blasphemous words. What is your decision?” They answered, “He must die!” Then they began to spit on Jesus and slap Him, while others hit Him with their fists, saying, “Messiah, prophesy! Who hit You?”

Meanwhile, as Peter sat outside in the courtyard, a young servant-girl of the house said to Him, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” And as Peter was going out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and told the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter denied it again with an oath, swearing, “I do not know that Man.”

After a little while, those who were standing there approached Peter and said to him, “Of course you are one of the Galileans : your accent gives you away.” Peter began justifying himself with curses and oaths, protesting that he did not know Jesus. Just then a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went away weeping bitterly.

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people met together to look for ways of putting Jesus to death. They had Him bound, and led Him away to be handed over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, the traitor, realised that Jesus had been condemned, he was filled with remorse, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying an innocent Man to death.”

They answered, “What does it matter to us? That is your concern.” So throwing down the money in the Temple, he went away and hanged himself. The priests picked up the money and said, “This money cannot be put into the Temple treasury, for this is the price of blood.” So they met together, and decided to buy the Potter’s Field with the money, and to make it a cemetery for foreigners. That is why, to this day, that place has been called Field of Blood.

So what the prophet Jeremiah said was fulfilled : They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price which the Sons of Israel set in Him, and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord commanded me. Jesus stood before the governor, who asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You say so.”

The chief priests and the elders of the people accused Him, but He made no answer. Pilate said to Him, “Do you hear all the charges they bring against You?” But He did not answer even a single question so that the governor wondered greatly.

At Passover, it was customary for the governor to release any prisoner the people asked for. Now there was a well-known prisoner called Barabbas. When the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Whom do you want me to set free : Barabbas, or Jesus called the Messiah?” For he realised that Jesus had been handed over to him out of envy.

As Pilate was sitting in court, his wife sent him this message, “Have nothing to do with that holy Man. Because of Him, I had a dream last night that disturbed me greatly.” But the chief priests and the elders of the people stirred up the crowds, to ask for the release of Barabbas and the death of Jesus.

When the governor asked them again, “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” they answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “And what shall I do with Jesus called the Messiah?” All answered, “Crucify Him!” Pilate insisted, “What evil has He done?” But they shouted louder, “Crucify Him!”

Pilate realised that he was getting nowhere, and that there could be a riot. He then asked for water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, “I am not responsible for His Blood, it is your doing.” And all the people answered, “Let His Blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then Pilate set Barabbas free, but had Jesus scourged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

The Roman soldiers took Jesus into the palace of the governor and the whole troop gathered around Him. They stripped Him and dressed Him in a purple military cloak. Then, twisting a crown of thorns, they forced it onto His head, and placed a reed in His right hand. They knelt before Jesus and mocked Him, saying, “Long life to the King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, took the reed from His hand and struck Him on the head with it.

When they had finished mocking Him, they pulled off the purple cloak and dressed Him in His own clothes again, and led Him out to be crucified. On the way they met a man from Cyrene called Simon, and forced him to carry the cross of Jesus. When they reached the place called Golgotha, which means the Skull, they offered Him wine mixed with gall. Jesus tasted it but would not drink it.

There they crucified Him, and divided His clothes among themselves, casting lots to decide what each one should take. Then they sat down to guard Him. The statement of His offence was displayed above His head, and it read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” They also crucified two bandits with Him, one on His right hand and one on His left.

People passing by shook their heads and insulted Him, saying, “Aha! You Who destroy the Temple and in three days rebuild it, save Yourself – if You are God’s Son – and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the Law mocked Him.

They said, “The Man Who saved others cannot save Himself. Let the King of Israel now come down from His cross and we will believe in Him. He trusted in God; let God rescue Him if God wants to, for He Himself said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him insulted Him.

From midday, darkness fell over the whole land until mid-afternoon. At about three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabbacthani?” which means : My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? As soon as they heard this, some of the bystanders said, “He is calling for Elijah.”

And one of them ran, took a sponge and soaked it in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave Him to drink. Others said, “Leave Him alone, let us see whether Elijah comes to His rescue.” Then Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His Spirit.

Just then the curtain of the Temple sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after the resurrection of Jesus, entered the Holy City, and appeared to many.

The captain and the soldiers who guarded Jesus were greatly terrified, and when they saw the earthquake and all that had happened, and said, “Truly, this was God’s Son.” There were also some women there, who watched from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had seen to His needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

It was now evening, and there came a wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus, and the governor ordered that the Body be given to him. So Joseph took the Body of Jesus, wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, and laid it in his own new tomb, which had been cut out of the rock.

Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there in front of the tomb. On the following day, the day after the Preparation for the Sabbath observance, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and said to him, “Sir, we remember that when that Impostor was still alive, He said, ‘I will rise after three days.'”

“Therefore, have His tomb secured until the third day, lest His disciples come and steal the body, and say to the people : He is risen from the dead. This would be a worse lie than the first.” Pilate answered them, “You have soldiers, go and take all the necessary precautions.” So they went to the tomb and secured it, sealing the stone, and placed it under guard.

Alternative reading (shorter version)

Matthew 27 : 11-54

Jesus stood before the governor, who asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You say so.” The chief priests and the elders of the people accused Him, but He made no answer. Pilate said to Him, “Do you hear all the charges they bring against You?” But He did not answer even a single question so that the governor wondered greatly.

At Passover, it was customary for the governor to release any prisoner the people asked for. Now there was a well-known prisoner called Barabbas. When the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Whom do you want me to set free : Barabbas, or Jesus called the Messiah?” For he realised that Jesus had been handed over to him out of envy.

As Pilate was sitting in court, his wife sent him this message, “Have nothing to do with that holy Man. Because of Him, I had a dream last night that disturbed me greatly.” But the chief priests and the elders of the people stirred up the crowds, to ask for the release of Barabbas and the death of Jesus.

When the governor asked them again, “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” they answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “And what shall I do with Jesus called the Messiah?” All answered, “Crucify Him!” Pilate insisted, “What evil has He done?” But they shouted louder, “Crucify Him!”

Pilate realised that he was getting nowhere, and that there could be a riot. He then asked for water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, “I am not responsible for His Blood, it is your doing.” And all the people answered, “Let His Blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then Pilate set Barabbas free, but had Jesus scourged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

The Roman soldiers took Jesus into the palace of the governor and the whole troop gathered around Him. They stripped Him and dressed Him in a purple military cloak. Then, twisting a crown of thorns, they forced it onto His head, and placed a reed in His right hand. They knelt before Jesus and mocked Him, saying, “Long life to the King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, took the reed from His hand and struck Him on the head with it.

When they had finished mocking Him, they pulled off the purple cloak and dressed Him in His own clothes again, and led Him out to be crucified. On the way they met a man from Cyrene called Simon, and forced him to carry the cross of Jesus. When they reached the place called Golgotha, which means the Skull, they offered Him wine mixed with gall. Jesus tasted it but would not drink it.

There they crucified Him, and divided His clothes among themselves, casting lots to decide what each one should take. Then they sat down to guard Him. The statement of His offence was displayed above His head, and it read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” They also crucified two bandits with Him, one on His right hand and one on His left.

People passing by shook their heads and insulted Him, saying, “Aha! You Who destroy the Temple and in three days rebuild it, save Yourself – if You are God’s Son – and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the Law mocked Him.

They said, “The Man Who saved others cannot save Himself. Let the King of Israel now come down from His cross and we will believe in Him. He trusted in God; let God rescue Him if God wants to, for He Himself said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him insulted Him.

From midday, darkness fell over the whole land until mid-afternoon. At about three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabbacthani?” which means : My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? As soon as they heard this, some of the bystanders said, “He is calling for Elijah.”

And one of them ran, took a sponge and soaked it in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave Him to drink. Others said, “Leave Him alone, let us see whether Elijah comes to His rescue.” Then Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His Spirit.

Just then the curtain of the Temple sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after the resurrection of Jesus, entered the Holy City, and appeared to many.

The captain and the soldiers who guarded Jesus were greatly terrified, and when they saw the earthquake and all that had happened, and said, “Truly, this was God’s Son.”

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Philippians 2 : 6-11

Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in His appearance found as a Man.

He humbled Himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted Him and gave Him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 21 : 8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24

All who see Me make a jest of Me; they sneer and shake their heads. “He put His trust in the Lord, let the Lord rescue Him! If the Lord is His friend, let Him help Him!”

Round about Me are vicious dogs, villainous rogues encircling Me. They have tied up My hands and feet. They can count all My bones.

Dividing My garments among them and casting lots for My raiment. O Lord, be not far from Me! O My strength, come quickly to My help.

I will proclaim Your Name to My brothers. I will praise You in the assembly. “All you who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him! All you sons of Israel, revere Him!

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Isaiah 50 : 4-7

The Lord YHVH has taught Me so I speak as His disciple and I know how to sustain the weary. Morning after morning He wakes Me up to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord YHVH has opened My ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.

I offered My back to those who strike Me, My cheeks to those who pulled My beard; neither did I shield My face from blows, spittle and disgrace. I have not despaired, for the Lord YHVH comes to My help. So, like a flint I set My face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.

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Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Matthew 21 : 1-11

At that time, when Jesus and His disciples drew near Jerusalem and arrived at Bethphage, on the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go to the village in front of you, and there you will find a donkey tied up, with its colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says something to you, say that the Lord needs them, and that He will send them back immediately.”

This happened in fulfilment of what the prophet said : Say to the daughter of Zion : See, your King comes to you in all simplicity, riding on a donkey, a beast of burden, with its colt. The disciples went, as Jesus had instructed them, and they brought the donkey with its colt. Then they threw their cloaks on its back, and Jesus sat on them.

Many people also spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The people who walked ahead of Jesus, and those who followed Him, began to shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was disturbed. The people asked, “Who is this Man?” And the crowd answered, “This is the Prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Offertory

Psalm 68 : 21-22

Improperium exspectavit cor meum et miseriam : et sustinui, qui simul mecum contristaretur, et non fuit : consolantem me quaesivi, et non inveni : et dederunt in escam meam fel, et in siti mea potaverunt me aceto.

English translation

My heart had expected reproach and misery, and I looked for one who would grieve together with Me, and there was none. I sought for one to comfort Me, and I found none, and they gave Me gall for My food, and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Concede, quaesumus, Domine : ut oculis Tuae majestatis munus oblatum, et gratiam nobis devotionis obtineat, et effectum beatae perennitatis acquirat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Lord, that the gift presented to the eyes of Your majesty may both obtain for us the grace of devotion and acquire for us the effect of a blessed immortality. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Holy Cross

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Qui salutem humani generis in ligno Crucis constituisti : ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret : et, qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur : per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Caeli caelorumque Virtutes ac beata Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and profitable for us, at all times, and in all places, to give thanks to You, o holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, who had established the salvation of mankind in the wood of the Cross, that from where death into the world, from there a new life might spring, and that he who by a tree overcome, by a tree too might be overthrown. Through Christ our Lord, through whom the angels praise, the Dominations adore, the Powers, trembling with awe and worship Your majesty, which the heavens, and the forces of heaven, together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully magnify You. And You do command that it is to be permitted in our lowliness to join with them in confessing You and repeat unceasingly :

Communion

Matthew 26 : 42

Pater, si non potest hic calix transire, nisi bibam illum : fiat voluntas Tua.

English translation

Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Your will be done.

Post-Communion Prayer

Per hujus, Domine, operationem mysterii : et vitia nostra purgentur, et justa desideria compleantur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

By the operation of this mystery, o Lord, may our vices be purged away, and our righteous desires have fulfillment. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Holy Gospel (Passion Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Matthaeum – The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew

Matthew 26 : 36-75 and Matthew 27 : 1-60

In illo tempore : Venit Jesus cum illis in villam, quae dicitur Gethsemani, et dixit discipulis suis. Sedete hic, donec vadam illuc et orem. Et assumpto Petro, et duobus filius Zebedaei, coepit contristari et maestus esse. Tunc ait illis : Tristis est anima mea usque ad mortem : sustinete hic, et vigilante mecum.

Et progressus pusillum, procidit in faciem suam, orans, et dicens : Pater mi, si possibile est, transeat a me calix iste. Verumtamen non sicut ego volo, sed sicut tu. Et venit ad discipulos suos, et invenit eos dormientes : et dicit Petro : Sic non potuistis una hora vigilare mecum? Vigilate, et orate ut non intretis in tentationem. Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma.

Iterum secundo abiit, et oravit, dicens : Pater mi, si non potest hic calix transire, nisi bibam illum, fiat voluntas tua. Et venit iterum, et invenit eos dormientes : erant enim oculi eorum gravati. Et relictis illis, iterum abiit, et oravit tertio, eumdem sermonem dicens. Tunc venit ad discipulos suos, et dicit illis : Dormite jam, et requiescete : ecce appropinquavit hora, et Filius Hominis tradetur in manus peccatorum. Surgite, eamus : ecce appropinquavit qui me tradet.

Adhuc eo loquente, ecce Judas unus de duodecim venit, et cum eo turba multa cum gladiis et fustibus, missi a principibus sacerdotum, et senioribus populi. Qui autem tradidit eum, dedit illis signum dicens : Quemcumque osculatus fuero, ipse est, tenete eum. Et confestim accedens ad Jesus, dixit : Ave, Rabbi. Et osculatus est eum. Dixitque illi Jesus : Amice, ad quid venisti?

Tunc accesserunt, et manus injecerunt in Jesum, et tenuerunt eum. Et ecce, unus ex his, qui erant cum Jesu, extendens manum, exemit gladium suum, et percutiens servum principis sacerdotum, amputavit auriculam ejus. Tunc ait illi Jesus : Converte gladium tuum in locum suum. Omnes enim, qui acceperint gladium, gladio peribunt. An putas quia non possum rogare Patrem meum, et exhibebit mihi modo plus quam duodecim legiones Angelorum? Quomodo ergo implemebuntur Scriptura, quia sic oportet fieri?

In illa hora dixit Jesus turbis : Tamquam ad latronem existis cum gladiis et fustibus comprehendere me : quotidie apud vos sedebam docens in templo, et non me tenuistis. Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimplerentur Scripturae prophetarum. Tunc discipuli omnes, relicto eo, fugerunt.

At illi tenentes Jesum, duxerunt ad Caipham principem sacerdotum, ubi scribae et seniores convenerant. Petrus autem sequebatur eum a longe, usque in atrium principis sacerdotum. Et ingressus intro, sedebat cum ministris, ut videret finem. Principes autem sacerdotum, et omne concilium, quaerebant falsum testimonium contra Jesum, ut eum morti traderent.

Et non invenerunt, cum multi falsi testes accessissent. Novissime autem venerunt duo falsi testes, et dixerunt : Hic dixit : Possum destruere templum Dei, et post triduum reaedificare illud. Et surgens princeps sacerdotum, ait illi : Nihil respondes ad ea, quae isti adversum te testificantur? Jesus autem tacebat. Et princeps sacerdotum ait illi : Adjuro te per Deum vivum, ut dicas nobis, si tu es Christus Filius Dei.

Dicit illi Jesus : Tu dixisti. Verumtamen dico vobis, amodo videbitis Filium Hominis sedentem a dextris virtutis Dei, et venientem in nubibus caeli. Tunc princeps sacerdotum scidit vestimenta sua, dicens : Blasphemavit : quid adhuc egemus testibus? Ecce nunc audistis blasphemiam : quid vobis videtur? At illi respondentes dixerunt : Reus est mortis. Tunc exspuerunt in faciem ejus, et colaphis eum ceciderunt, alii autem palmas in faciem ejus dederunt, dicentes : Prophetiza nobis, Christe, quis est qui te percussit?

Petrus vero sedebat foris in atrio : et accessit ad eum una ancilla, dicens : Et tu cum Jesu Galilaeo eras. At ille negavit coram omnibus, dicens : Nescio quid dicis. Exeunte autem illo januam, vidit eum alia ancilla, et ait his qui erant ibi : Et hic erat cum Jesu Nazareno. Et iterum negavit cum juramento : Quia non novi hominem. Et post pusillum accesserunt qui stabant, et dixerunt Petro : Vere et tu ex illis es : nam et loquela tua manifestum te facit. Tunc coepit detestari, et jurare quia non novisset hominem. Et continuo gallus cantavit. Et recordatus est Petrus verbi Jesu, quod dixerat : Priusquam gallus cantet, ter me negabis. Et egressus foras, flevit amare.

Mane autem facto, consilium inierunt omnes principes sacerdotum, et seniores populi adversus Jesum, ut eum morti traderent. Et vinctum adduxerunt eum, et tradiderunt Pontio Pilato praesidi. Tunc videns Judas, qui eum tradidit, quod damnatus esset, poenitentia ductus, retulit triginta argenteos principibus sacerdotum et senioribus, dicens : Peccavi, tradens sanguinem justum.

At illi dixerunt : Quid ad nos? Tu videris. Et projectis argenteis in templo, recessit : et abiens, laqueo se suspendit. Principes autem sacerdotum, acceptis argenteis, dixerunt : Non licet eos mittere in corbonam : quia pretium sanguinis est. Consilio autem inito, emerunt ex illis agrum figuli, in sepulturam peregrinorum. Propter hoc vocatus est ager ille Haceldama, hoc est, ager sanguinis, usque in hodiernum diem. Tunc impletum est, quod dictum est per Jeremiam prophetam, dicentem : Et acceperunt triginta argenteos pretium appretiati, quem appretiaverunt a filiis Israel : et dederunt eos in agrum figuli, sicut constituit mihi Dominus.

Jesus autem stetit ante praesidem, et interrogavit eum praeses, dicens : Tu es Rex Judaeorum? Dicit illi Jesus : Tu dicis. Et cum accusaretur a principibus sacerdotum et senioribus, nihil respondit. Tunc dicit illi Pilatus : Non audis quanta adversum te dicunt testimonia? Et non respondit ei ad ullum verbum, ita ut miraretur praeses vehementer.

Per diem autem solemnem consueverat praeses populo dimittere unum vinctum, quem voluissent. Habebat autem tunc vinctum insignem, qui dicebatur Barabbas. Congregatis ergo illis, dixit Pilatus : Quem vultis dimittam vobis : Barabbam, an Jesum, qui dicitur Christus? Sciebat enim quod per invidiam tradidissent eum. Sedente autem illo pro tribunali, misit ad eum uxor ejus, dicens : Nihil tibi et justo illi : multa enim passa sum hodie per visum propter eum.

Principes autem sacerdotum et seniores persuaserunt populis ut peterent Barabbam, Jesum vero perderent. Respondens autem praeses ait illis : Quem vultis vobis de duobus dimitti? At illi dixerunt : Barabbam. Dicit illis Pilatus : Quid igitur faciam de Jesu, qui dicitur Christus? Dicunt omnes : Crucifigatur. Ait illis praeses : Quid enim mali fecit? At illi magis clamabant, dicentes : Crucifigatur.

Videns autem Pilatus quia nihil proficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret : accepta aqua, lavit manus coram populo, dicens : Innocens ego sum a sanguine justi hujus : vos videritis. Et respondens universus populus, dixit : Sanguis ejus super nos, et super filios nostros. Tunc dimisit illis Barabbam : Jesum autem flagellatum tradidit eis, ut crucifigeretur.

Tunc milites praesidis suscipientes Jesum in praetorium, congregaverunt ad eum universam cohortem : et exuentes eum, chlamydem coccineam circumdederunt ei : et plectentes coronam de spinis, posuerunt super caput ejus, et arundinem in dextera ejus. Et genu flexo ante eum, illudebant ei, dicentes : Ave, Rex Judaeorum. Et exspuentes in eum, acceperunt arundinem, et percutiebant caput ejus. Et postquam illuserunt ei, exuerunt eum chlamyde, et induerunt eum vestimentis ejus, et duxerunt eum ut crucifigerent.

Exeuntes autem, invenerunt hominem Cyrenaeum, nomine Simonem : hunc angariaverunt, ut tolleret crucem ejus. Et venerunt in locum qui dicitur Golgotha, quos est Calvariae locus. Et dederunt ei vinum bibere cum felle mixtum. Et cum gustasset, noluit bibere. Postquam autem crucifixerunt eum, diviserunt vestimenta ejus, sortem mittentes : ut impleretur quod dictum est per prophetam, dicentem : Diviserunt sibi vestamenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem.

Et sedentes, servabant eum. Et imposuerunt super caput ejus causam ipsius scriptam : Hic est Jesus Rex Judaeorum. Tunc crucifixi sunt cum eo duo latrones : unus a dextris, et unus a sinistris. Praetereuntes autem blasphemabant eum, moventes capita sua, et dicentes : Vah, qui destruis Templum Dei, et in triduo illud reaedificas : salva temetipsum. Si Filius Dei es, descende de cruce.

Similiter et principes sacerdotum illudentes cum scribis et senioribus, dicebant : Alios salvos fecit, seipsum non potest salvum facere : si Rex Israel est, descendat nunc de cruce, et credimus ei : confidit in Deo : liberet nunc, si vultum eum; dixit enim : Quia Filius Dei sum. Idipsum autem et latrones, qui crucifixi erant cum eo, improperabant ei.

A sexta autem hora tenebrae factae sunt super universam terram, usque ad horam nonam. Et circa horam nonam clamavit Jesus voce magna, dicens : Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? Hoc est : Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquisti me? Quidam autem illic stantes, et audientes, dicebant : Eliam vocat iste. Et continuo currens unus ex eis, acceptam spongiam implevit aceto, et imposuit arundini, et dabat ei bibere. Ceteri vero dicebant : Sine, videamus an veniat Elias liberans eum. Jesus autem iterum clamans voce magna, emisit spiritum.

(Kneel)

Et ecce velum templi scissum est in duas partes a summo usque deorsum : et terra mota est, et petrae scissae sunt, et monumenta aperta sunt : et multa corpora sanctorum, qui dormierant, surrexerunt. Et exeuntes de monumentis post resurrectionem ejus, venerunt in sanctam civitatem, et apparuerunt multis. Centurio autem et qui cum eo erant custodientes Jesum, viso terraemotu et his quae fiebant, timuerunt valde, dicentes : Vere Filius Dei erat iste. Erant autem ibi mulieres multae a longe, quae secutae erant Jesum a Galilaea, ministrantes ei : inter quas erat Maria Magdalene, et Maria Jacobi et Joseph mater, et mater filiorum Zebedaei.

Cum autem sero factum esset, venit quidam homo dives ab Arimathaea, nomine Joseph, qui et ipse discipulus erat Jesu. Hic accessit ad Pilatum et petiit corpus Jesu. Tunc Pilatus jussit reddi corpus. Et accepto corpore, Joseph involvit illud in sindone munda. Et posuit illud in monumento suo novo, quod exciderat in petra. Et advolvit saxum magnum ad ostium monumenti, et abiit.

English translation

At that time, Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, “All of you sit here while I go yonder and pray.” And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then He said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even unto death, all of you stay here and watch with Me.”

And going a little further, He fell upon His face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass from Me. Nevertheless, it is not as I will it, but as You will it.” And He came to His disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch one hour with Me? Watch all of you, and pray that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak.”

Again a second time He went and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Your will be done.” And He came again and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, He went again and prayed the third time, saying the same words Himself. Then He came to His disciples, and said to them, “Sleep all of you now and take your rest, behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go, behold, he is at hand who is to betray Me.”

As He yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the Twelve came and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. And he who betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever it is I shall kiss, that is He, hold Him fast.” And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said, “Hail, Rabbi!” And he kissed Him. And Jesus said to Him, “Friend, where to have you come?”

Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus, and held Him. And behold one of them who were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his word, and striking the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put up again your sword into its place, for all who take the sword shall perish with the sword. Do you think that I cannot ask My Father, and He will give Me at present more than twelve legions of Angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?”

In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “You have come out as it was to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend Me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the Temple, and you did not lay hands on Me. Now all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all leaving Him, fled.

But they held Jesus and led Him to Caiaphas the High Priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. And Peter followed Him from afar off, even to the court of the High Priest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put Him to death.

And they found none, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses, and they said, “This Man said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.” And the High Priest, rising up said to Him, “Do You have nothing to answer all these that the witnesses came up against You?” But Jesus held His peace. And the High Priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us if You are the Christ the Son of God.”

Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the High Priest rent his garments, saying, “He has blasphemed, what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” But they answered, saying, “He is guilty of death. Then they spat in His face and buffeted Him, and others struck His face with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy unto us, o Christ, who is he that struck You?”

But Peter sat outside in the court, and there came to him a servant maid, saying, “You also was with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied before them all, saying, “I do not know what you said.” And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she said to those who were there, “This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man.” And after a little while, they came, those who stood by and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for even your speech had revealed you.” Then he began to curse and to swear that he does not know the Man, and immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which He had said, “Before the cock crowed, you would have denied Me thrice.” And going forth, he wept bitterly.

And when morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put Him to death. And they brought Him bound and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, seeing that He was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.”

But they said, “What is that to us? Look yourself to it.” And casting down the pieces of silver in the Temple, he departed and went to hang himself with a halter. But the chief priests, having taken the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the Temple funds, because it is the price of blood.” And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter’s field to be a burying place for strangers. For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is the Field of Blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying that, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him who was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel, and they gave them unto the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed to me.”

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You said it.” And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how great testimonies they allege against You?” And He did not answer anything to him, so that the governor wondered exceedingly.

Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would choose. And he had then a notorious prisoner that was called Barabbas. They therefore were gathered together, and Pilate said, “Whom will you choose that I release to you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?” For he knew that it was for envy that they had delivered Him. And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying, “Do not have anything to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people that they should ask for Barabbas, and do away with Jesus. And the governor answering, said to them, “Which of these two will you want to be released unto you?” But they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called the Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” The governor said, “Why? What evil had He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

And Pilate, seeing that he did not prevail, but rather that a tumult was made, took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, “I am innocent of the Blood of this just Man, look yourself to it.” And the whole people, answering, said, “His Blood is upon us and upon our children.” Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him unto them to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto Him a whole band, and stripping Him, they put scarlet cloak about Him, and placing together a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And spitting upon Him, they took the reed and struck His head. And after they had mocked Him, they took off the cloak from Him, and put on Him His own garments, and led Him away to crucify Him.

And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they forced to take up His cross. And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave Him wine to drink which was mixed with gall, and when He had tasted, He would not drink. And after they had crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots on them, that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophets, saying, “They divided My garments among them, and upon My vesture they cast lots.”

And they sat and watched Him, and they put over His head His cause, which was written, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” There were crucified with Him two thieves, one on the right hand and one on the left. And they who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Vah, You who destroy the Temple of God and in three days rebuilds it, save Your ownself. If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

In like manner also the chief priests with the scribes and the elders, mocking Him, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God, let Him now deliver Him if He will have Him, for He said, “I am the Son of God.” And the same things the thieves had also said, those who were crucified with Him, reproaching Him with the same words.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And some who stood there and heard, said, “This Man called Elijah.” And immediately one of them running, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put in on a reed and gave Him to drink. And the others said, “Let it be, let us see whether Elijah will come to deliver Him.” And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielding up His Spirit.

(Kneel)

And behold the veil of the Temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many. Now the centurion and those who were with Him watching Jesus, and the things that were done, they became afraid, saying, “Indeed, He was the Son of God.” And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him, among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the Body should be delivered. And Joseph, taking the Body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument and went his way.

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 2 April 2023 : Gradual and Tract

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Gradual

Psalm 72 : 24, 1-3

Tenuisti manum dexteram meam : et in voluntate Tua deduxisti me : et cum gloria assumpsisti me.

Priest : Quam bonus Israel Deus rectis corde! Mei autem paene moti sunt pedes : paene effusi sunt gressus mei : quia zelavi in peccatoribus, pacem peccatorum videns.

English translation

You have held me in Your right hand, and by Your will You have conducted me, and with glory You have assumed me.

Priest : How good is God to Israel, to those who are of a right heart! But my feet were almost moved, my steps had well nigh slipped, because I had a zeal on occasion of sinners, seeing the peace of sinners.

Tract

Psalm 21 : 2-9, 18, 19, 22, 24, 32

Deus, Deus meus, respice in me : quare me dereliquisti?

Longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum.

Deus meus, clamabo per diem, nec exaudies : in nocte, et non ad insipientiam mihi.

Tu autem in sancto habitas, laus Israel.

In Te speraverunt patres nostri : speraverunt, et liberasti eos.

Ad Te clamaverunt, et salvi facti sunt : in Te speraverunt, et non sunt confusi.

Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo : opprobrium hominum et abjectio plebis.

Omnes, qui videbant me, aspernabantur me : locuti sunt labiis et moverunt caput.

Speravit in Domino, eripiat eum : salvum faciat eum, quoniam vult eum.

Ipsi vero consideraverunt et conspexerunt me : diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt mortem.

Libera me de ore leonis : et a cornibus unicornium humilitatem meam.

Qui timetis Dominum, laudate eum : universum semen Jacob, magnificate eum.

Annuntiabitur Domino generatio ventura : et annuntiabunt caeli justitiam ejus.

Populo, qui nascetur, quem fecit Dominus.

English translation

O God, my God, look upon me, why have You forsaken me?

Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.

O my God, I shall cry by day, and You will not hear, and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in Me.

But You dwell in the holy place, the praise of Israel.

In You our fathers have hoped, and You have delivered them.

They cried to You and they were saved, they trusted in You and they were not confounded.

But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.

All they who saw Me have laughed Me to scorn, they have spoken with the lips and wagged the head.

He hoped in the Lord, let Him deliver Him, let Him save Him, seeing that He delights in Him.

But they have looked and stared upon Me, they parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture they cast lots.

Deliver Me from the lion’s mouth, and My lowness from the horns of the unicorns.

You who fear the Lord, praise Him. Praise Him all you seed of Jacob, glorify Him.

There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come and the heavens shall show forth His justice.

To a people that shall be born, which the Lord had made.