Lent

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(Usus Antiquior) Ash Wednesday (I Classis) – Wednesday, 18 February 2026 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Matthew 6 : 16-21

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus discipulis Suis : Cum jejunatis, nolite fieri, sicut hypocritae, tristes. Exterminant enim facies suas, ut appareant hominibus jejunantes. Amen, dico vobis, quia receperunt mercedem suam.

Tu autem, cum jejunas, unge caput tuum, et faciem tuam lava, ne videaris hominibus jejunans, sed Patri tuo, qui est in abscondito : et Pater tuus, qui videt in abscondito, reddet tibi.

Nolite thesaurizare vobis thesauros in terra : ubi aerugo et tinea demolitur : et ubi fures effodiunt et furantur. Thesaurizate autem vobis thesauros in caelo : ubi neque aerugo neque tinea demolitur; et ubi fures non effodiunt nec furantur. Ubi enim est thesaurus tuus, ibi est et cor tuum.

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “When you fast, do not be as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, so that they may appear unto men as fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that you do not appear to men as fasting, but to your Father Who is in secret, and Who sees what is done in secret will repay you.”

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither the rust nor moth could consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there is your heart also.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Ash Wednesday (I Classis) – Wednesday, 18 February 2026 : Gradual and Tract

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Gradual

Psalm 56 : 2, 4

Miserere mei, Deus, miserere mei : quoniam in Te confidit anima mea.

Response : Misit de caelo, et liberavit me, dedit in opprobrium conculcantes me.

English translation

Have mercy on me, o Lord, have mercy on me, for my soul trusted in You.

Response : He had sent from heaven and delivered me. He had made them a reproach, those who trod upon me.

Tract

Psalm 102 : 10 and Psalm 78 : 8-9

Domine, non secundum peccata nostra, quae fecimus nos : neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuas nobis.

Response : Domine, ne memineris iniquitatum nostratum antiquarum : cito anticipent nos misericordiae Tuae, quia pauperes facti sumus nimis.

(Genuflect)

Response : Adjuva nos, Deus, salutaris noster : et propter gloriam Nominis Tui, Domine, libera nos : et propitius esto peccatis nostris, propter Nomen Tuum.

English translation

O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities.

Response : O Lord, do not remember our former iniquities, let Your mercies speedily prevent us, for we have become exceedingly poor.

(Genuflect)

Response : Help us, o God, our Saviour and for the glory of Your Name. O Lord, deliver us and forgive us our sins for Your Name’s sake.

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(Usus Antiquior) Ash Wednesday (I Classis) – Wednesday, 18 February 2026 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour: Violet

Lectio Joelis Prophetae – Lesson from Joel the Prophet

Joel 2 : 12-19

Haec dicit Dominus : Convertimini ad me in toto corde vestro, in jejunio, et in fletu, et in planctu. Et scindite corda vestra, et non vestimenta vestra, et convertimini ad Dominum, Deum vestrum : quia benignus et misericors est, patiens, et multae misericordiae, et praestabilis super malitia.

Quis scit, si convertatur, et ignoscat, et relinquat post se benedictionem, sacrificium et libamen Domino, Deo vestro? Canite tuba in Sion, sanctificate jejunium, vocate caetum, congregate populum, sanctificate ecclesiam, coadunate senes, congregate parvulos et sugentes ubera : egrediatur sponsus de cubili suo, et sponsa de thalamo suo.

Inter vestibulum et altare plorabunt sacerdotes ministri Domini, et dicent : Parce, Domine, parce populo Tuo : et ne des hereditatem Tuam in opprobrium, ut dominentur eis nationes. Quare dicunt in populis : Ubi est Deus eorum? Zelatus est Dominus terram suam, et pepercit populo suo.

Et respondit Dominus, et dixit populo suo : Ecce, ego mittam vobis frumentum et vinum et oleum, et replebimini eis : et non dabo vos ultra opprobrium in gentibus dicit Dominus omnipotens.

English translation

Thus said the Lord, “Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.”

“Who knows but He will return and forgive and leave a blessing behind Him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather together the people, sanctify the Church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones and those who suck at the breasts, let the bridegroom go forth from his bed and the bride out of her bride chamber.”

“Between the porch and the altar the priests, the Lord’s ministers, shall weep and shall say, ‘Spare, o Lord, spare Your people, and do not give Your inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations : Where is their God? The Lord had been zealous for His land, and had spared His people.'”

And the Lord answered and said to His people, “Behold I will send you corn and wine and oil, and you shall be filled with them, and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations,” said the Lord Almighty.

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(Usus Antiquior) Ash Wednesday (I Classis) – Wednesday, 18 February 2026 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Introit

Wisdom 11 : 24, 25, 27 and Psalm 56 : 2

Miserere omnium, Domine, et nihil odisti eorum quae fecisti, dissimulans peccata hominum propter paenitentiam et parcens illis : quia Tu es Dominus, Deus noster.

Miserere mei, Deus, miserere mei : quoniam in Te confidit anima mea.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

You have mercy upon all, o Lord, and hated none of the things which You have made, winking at the sins of men for the sake of repentance, and sparing them, for You are the Lord our God.

Have mercy on me, o God, have mercy on me, for my soul trusted in You.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Praesta, Domine, fidelibus Tuis : ut jejuniorum veneranda sollemnia, et congrua pietate suscipiant, et secura devotione percurant. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant to Your faithful, o Lord, that they may both undertake the venerable solemnities of fasting with piety and carry them through with unwavering devotion. 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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Friday, 18 April 2025 : Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today is Good Friday, also known as the Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. On this day Christians throughout the world commemorate the suffering, crucifixion and ultimately the death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. This day is truly a Good Friday because it is a Good thing that God has died for us, as if not for this, we would have certainly perished in the eternal darkness and suffering, being separated forever from the love and grace of God. It was because of the sufferings and the pains endured by Christ, all of His wounds and hurts that we have been healed from our afflictions and sins, from all the corruptions and defilements by those sins and evils we have committed in our lives.

And indeed, God died today on this most holy and good Friday, almost two millennia ago. Such a statement is indeed baffling to many people, as to the Jews at that time, it was incomprehensible that God died, Him being the Almighty Lord and God of all Creation and the Universe, while to the Greeks and other Gentiles, such a notion that God dies, is one of foolishness and weakness, for to them, accustomed with having many gods and those gods that perished, only the strong ones remain while those that perished were weak. And yet, what God has revealed to us through His Son, the Divine Word Incarnate, Son of God and yet also Son of Man, is one of pure and ever enduring love which persists despite the many challenges and obstacles to this love that God had for us.

This death of God was made possible because in the very core of our Christian beliefs and teachings, we believe that God Himself has become incarnate in the flesh, embracing our human nature and existence, being formed and developing in the hallowed womb of Mary, whom God had sanctified and filled with His grace, keeping her away from the taint of original sin and corruption so that this vessel so pure and blameless might truly be worthy to bear the Son of God and brought Him forth into this world. We believe that in the Person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, is a hypostatic union of two distinct and yet inseparable natures, that of Divine and Human. That means Jesus was truly and fully Divine, fully God, while at the same time He was also fully Man.

And while God in His Divinity is immortal and all-powerful, transcendent and beyond comprehension, but in His Humanity, God truly has died that day at Calvary, pierced, beaten and wounded for us all. The death of Jesus Christ is truly a real death, and not merely a symbol or appearance only, or as some would believe it otherwise, that He did not really die but was replaced by another. The Lord really did suffer and die, and He was wounded deeply because of our sins. As the first reading of this Good Friday from the Book of the prophet Isaiah highlighted to us, Christ is the One to bear all the burdens of our sins, all of our wickedness and faults, for which we should have been punished for, and yet, God’s great mercy and compassion has allowed us to find a way out through His Son, Our Saviour.

The prophet Isaiah spoke about the Suffering Servant of God, the One Whom God would punish on our behalf for all of our faults and mistakes, burdened with all of the punishments and scourges, wounds because of our disobedience and evils, all the things which we have done in this world that are not in accordance with God’s will. The Suffering Servant is the role that Christ our Saviour has taken up upon Himself, willingly and obediently accepting punishments upon Himself so that by His perfect obedience, He might craft unto us a remedy that allows us all to overcome all of our sins, through God’s forgiveness and grace, freely given and offered to us. By the willing and most loving sacrifice of our Lord and God, on the Altar of the Cross, the perfect and worthy sacrifice in atonement of our sins have been offered by our One True Eternal High Priest.

And this offering is none other than the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord Himself, slain and offered on the Altar of the Cross for us. And since it is none other than the Divine Son and Lamb of God offering Himself, it is the only sacrifice and offering worthy to atone for our sins. This is the continuation of the whole grand liturgy that began yesterday at the Last Supper and which will continue through to the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening, a grand sacrifice that the Lord Himself has offered on our behalf for our salvation, with His sufferings and death uniting us all to die to our own sins and wickedness, bringing us through the valley of darkness and out into the light. And by partaking His Most Precious Body and Blood that He Himself has given to us most generously through the Eucharist, God has given us all the perfect remedy for our fallen state and sinfulness, showing us the certain path out of the darkness and into the light of God’s grace and salvation.

In our second reading this Good Friday, we then heard of the words from the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews in which he highlighted the role of Jesus Christ our Lord as the High Priest, Who having shared in our human nature and being truly and fully human, He did share in our pains and sufferings. It is again His incarnation that allowed Him to experience suffering and death in His Passion and what we reflect upon throughout the long Passion story in our Gospel passage today. He has been tempted also by the same temptations that we have faced ourselves, and endured the same things that we have endured. Yet, He triumphed over all those temptations and showed us all that it is indeed possible for us mankind to resist the temptations and to be truly obedient to God, just as Christ Himself has shown us.

By His humble obedience, Jesus our Lord has shown us the perfect example of how each and every one of us as Christians should live our lives in the manner that is truly pleasing to God. And today as we focus our attention on the great sacrifice that Our Lord Himself has gone through for our sake, we are reminded that all of us should not continue to indulge in our various temptations and sins. We should instead remember that each one of our sins and faults have caused hurt on the Lord Himself, with every wounds that were inflicted upon Him being every single sins that we have committed in our lives. And yet, at the same time, God has been so generous with His love for us that He was willing to go through all the sufferings and pains meant for us so that we can be saved from certain destruction and can be reconciled and reunited with Him.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore as we commemorate the events which happened on this Good Friday and as we continue to immerse ourselves in the important events of this Paschal Triduum, let us all grow ever more aware of our relationship with God and all of our sins, imperfections and faults. Let us all first and foremost be thankful for all the love that God has shown us, and be grateful for everything that He had done for us. Let us all lovingly gaze upon the Cross and commit ourselves wholly and wholeheartedly knowing that He has always been there for us, guiding us through our journey in life and helping us to carry our own crosses. Let us remind ourselves that whatever difficulties and sufferings we may be facing in life, the Lord has suffered them all as well, and in a manner far worse than ours. Yet, He bore them all patiently out of love for us.

Let us all therefore continue to deepen our relationship with God and do our very best to commit ourselves to Him, in everything that we do and in our whole ways of living our lives. We should be more genuine in our faith and in our efforts to build and maintain our relationship with God and we should not ignore the love that God has for us any longer. Instead, let us do our best to glorify God by our lives and our whole actions so that we may continue to be good role models and inspirations for one another in faith, as good and worthy Christians, parts and members of the Church and Kingdom of God which God Himself has established on this Good Friday through His ultimate loving sacrifice on the Cross. May our Crucified Lord and Saviour be with us always. Amen.

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Friday, 18 April 2025 : Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

John 18 : 1 – John 19 : 42

At that time, when Jesus had finished speaking, He went with His disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley. There was a garden there, which Jesus entered with His disciples. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, knew the place, since Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas took soldiers and some servants from the chief priests and Pharisees, and they went to the garden with lanterns, torches and weapons.

Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him; He stepped forward and asked, “Who are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am He.” Judas, who betrayed Him, stood there with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they moved back and fell to the ground. He then asked a second time, “Who are you looking for?” and they answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus replied, “I told you that I am He. If you are looking for Me, let these others go.” So what Jesus had said came true : “I have not lost one of those you gave Me.”

Simon Peter had a sword; he drew it and struck Malchus, the High Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?”

The guards and the soldiers, with their commander, seized Jesus and bound Him; and they took Him first to Annas. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the High Priest that year; and it was Caiaphas who had told the Jews, “It is better that one Man should die for the people.”

Simon Peter with another disciple followed Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the High Priest, they let him enter the courtyard of the High Priest along with Jesus, but Peter had to stay outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the High Priest, went out and spoke to the maidservant at the gate and brought Peter in.

Then this maidservant on duty at the door said to Peter, “So you also are one of His disciples?” But he answered, “I am not.” Now the servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire and were standing and warming themselves, because it was cold. Peter was also with them warming himself.

The High Priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in places where the Jews meet together, either at the assemblies in synagogues or in the Temple. I did not teach secretly. Why then do you question Me? Ask those who heard Me, they know what I said.”

At this reply one of the guards standing there gave Jesus a blow on the face, saying, “Is that the way to answer the High Priest?” Jesus said to him, “If I have spoken wrongly, point it out; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike Me?” Then Annas sent Him, bound, to Caiaphas, the High Priest.

Now Simon Peter stood there warming himself. They said to him, “Surely you also are one of His disciples.” He denied it, and answered, “I am not.” One of the High Priest’s servants, a kinsman of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you with Him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at once the cock crowed.

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the headquarters of the Roman governor. It was now morning. The Jews did not go inside, lest they be made unclean by entering the house of a pagan, and therefore not allowed to eat the Passover meal. So Pilate came out and asked, “What charge do you bring against this Man?”

They answered, “If He were not a criminal, we would not be handing Him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your own law.” But they replied, “We ourselves are not allowed to put anyone to death.” It was clear from this what kind of death Jesus was to die, according to what Jesus Himself had foretold.

Pilate then entered the court again, called Jesus and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “Does this word come from you, or did you hear it from others?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed You over to me. What have You done?”

Jesus answered, “My kingship does not come from this world. If I were a King, like those of this world, My guards would have fought to save Me from being handed over to the Jews. But My Kingship is not of this world.” Pilate asked Him, “So You are a King?” And Jesus answered, “Just as you say, I am a King. For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth hears My voice.” Pilate said, “What is truth?”

Pilate then went out to the Jews again and said, “I find no crime in this Man. Now, according to custom, I must release a prisoner to you at the Passover. With your agreement I will release to you the King of the Jews.” But they insisted and cried out, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and scourged. The soldiers also twisted thorns into a crown and put it on His head. They threw a cloak of royal purple around His shoulders; and they began coming up to Him and saluting Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him on the face.

Pilate went outside yet another time and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out, and I want you to know that I find no crime in Him.” Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak and Pilate pointed to Him, saying, “Here is the Man!”

On seeing Him the chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate replied, “Take Him yourselves and have Him crucified, for I find no case against Him.” The Jews then said, “We have a Law, and according to the Law this Man must die because He made Himself Son of God.”

When Pilate heard this he was more afraid. And coming back into the court he asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “You will not speak to me? Do You not know that I have power to release You, just as I have power to crucify You?”

Jesus replied, “You would have no power over Me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed Me over to you is more guilty.” From that moment Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who makes Himself a King is defying Caesar.”

When Pilate heard this, he had Jesus brought outside to the place called the Stone Floor – in Hebrew Gabbatha – and sat down in the judgment seat. It was the day of preparation for the Passover, about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” But they cried out, “Away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate replied, “Shall I crucify your King?” And the chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. They took charge of Him. Bearing His own cross, Jesus went out of the city to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew Golgotha. There He was crucified, and with Him two others, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle.

Pilate had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which read : Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews. Many Jewish people saw this title, because the place where Jesus was crucified was very close to the city; and the title was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘This Man claimed to be King of the Jews.'” Pilate answered them, “What I have written, I have written.”

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each of them. But as the tunic was woven in one piece from top to bottom, they said, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots to decide who will get it.” This fulfilled the words of Scripture : They divided My clothing among them; they cast lots for My garment. This was what the soldiers did.

Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala, when Jesus saw the mother, and the disciple whom He loved, He said to the mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus knew all was now finished and, in order to fulfil what was written in Scripture, He said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of bitter wine stood there; so, putting a sponge soaked in the wine on a twig of hyssop, they raised it to His lips. Jesus took the wine and said, “It is accomplished.” Then He bowed His head and gave up the Spirit.

As it was Preparation Day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath, for this Sabbath was a very solemn day. They asked Pilate to have the legs of the condemned men broken, so that the bodies might be taken away. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other man, who had been crucified with Jesus.

When they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so they did not break His legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced His side with a lance, and immediately there came out Blood and water. The one who saw it, has testified to it, and his testimony is true; he knows he speaks the truth, so that you also might believe. All this happened to fulfil the words of Scripture : Not one of His bones shall be broken. Another text says : They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea approached Pilate, for he was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly, for fear of the Jews. And he asked Pilate to let him remove the Body of Jesus. Pilate agreed, so he came and took away the Body. Nicodemus, the man who at first had come to Jesus by night, also came and brought a jar of myrrh mixed with aloes, about a hundred pounds. They took the Body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, following the burial customs of the Jews.

There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been crucified, and, in the garden, a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And therefore, because the sepulchre was nearby, and the Jewish day of preparation was coming to a close, they placed the Body of Jesus there.

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Friday, 18 April 2025 : Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Hebrews 4 : 14-16 and Hebrews 5 : 7-9

We have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, Who has entered heaven. Let us, then, hold fast to the faith we profess. Our High Priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for He was tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sinning. Let us, then, with confidence approach the throne of grace; we will obtain mercy and, through His favour, help in due time.

Christ, in the days of His mortal life, offered His sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to Him Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His humble submission. Although He was Son, He learnt through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, He became the Source of eternal salvation for those who obey Him.

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Friday, 18 April 2025 : Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 30 : 2 and 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17 and 25

In You, o Lord, I take refuge, may I never be disgraced; deliver Me in Your justice. Into Your hands I commend My Spirit; You have redeemed Me, o Lord, faithful God.

I have become an object of reproach for My foes, a horror for My neighbours, a fear to My friends. Those who see Me in the streets flee from Me. I am like the dead, unremembered; I have become like a broken pot, thrown away, discarded.

But I put My trust in You, o Lord, I said : “You are My God;” My days are in Your hand. Deliver Me from the hand of My enemies, from those after My skin.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save Me in Your love. Be strong and take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

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Friday, 18 April 2025 : Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Isaiah 52 : 13 – Isaiah 53 : 12

It is now when My Servant will succeed; He will be exalted and highly praised. Just as many have been horrified at His disfigured appearance : “Is this a Man? He does not look like One.” So will nations be astounded, kings will stand speechless, for they will see something never told, they will witness something never heard of.

Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has YHVH revealed His feat? Like a root out of dry ground, like a sapling He grew up before us, with nothing attractive in His appearance, no beauty, no majesty. He was despised and rejected, a Man of sorrows familiar with grief, a Man from Whom people hide their face, spurned and considered of no account.

Yet ours were the sorrows He bore, ours were the suffering He endured, although we considered Him as One punished by God, stricken and brought low. Destroyed because of our sins, He was crushed for our wickedness. Through His punishment we are made whole; by His wounds we are healed. Like sheep we had all gone astray, each following His own way; but YHVH laid upon Him all our guilt.

He was harshly treated, but unresisting and silent, He humbly submitted. Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearer He did not open His mouth. He was taken away to detention and judgment – what an unthinkable fate! He was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for His people’s sins. They made His tomb with the wicked, they put Him in the graveyard of the oppressors, though He had done no violence nor spoken in deceit.

Yet it was the will of YHVH to crush Him with grief. When He makes Himself an offering for sin, He will have a long life and see His descendants. Through Him the will of YHVH is done. For the anguish He suffered, He will see the light and obtain perfect knowledge. My just Servant will justify the multitude; He will bear and take away their guilt.

Therefore I will give Him His portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong. For He surrendered Himself to death and was even counted among the wicked, bearing the sins of the multitude and interceding for sinners.

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(Usus Antiquior) Good Friday, Solemn Afternoon Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord (Feria I Classis) – Friday, 18 April 2025 : Passion Reading

Liturgical Colour : Black

John 18 : 1-40 and John 19 : 1-42

Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi Secundum Joannem

In illo tempore : Egressus est Jesus cum discipulis Suis trans torrentem Cedron, ubi erat hortus, in quem introivit ipse et discipuli Ejus. Sciebat autem et Judas, quit tradebat eum, locum : quia frequenter Jesus convenerat illuc cum discipulis Suis. Judas ergo cum accepisset cohortem, et a pontificibus et pharisaeis ministros, venit illuc cum laternis et facibus et armis.

Jesus itaque sciens omnia, quae ventura erant super Eum, processit, et dixit eis : Quem quaeritis? Responderunt Ei : Jesum Nazarenum. Dicit eis Jesus : Ego Sum. Stabat autem et Judas, qui tradebat Eum, cum ipsis. Ut ergo dixit Eis : Ego Sum : abierunt retrorsum, et ceciderunt in terram. Iterum ergo interrogavit Eos : Quem quaeritis? Illi autem dixerunt : Jesum Nazarenum. Respondit Jesus : Dixi vobis, quia Ego Sum : si ergo Me quaeritis, sinite hos abire. Ut impleretur sermo, quem dixit : Quia quos dedisti mihi, non perdidi ex Eis quemquam.

Simon ergo Petrus habens gladium eduxit eum : et percussit pontificis servum : et abscidit auriculam ejus dexteram. Erat autem nomen servo Malchus. Dixit ergo Jesus Petro : Mitte gladium tuum in vaginam. Calicem, quem dedit mihi Pater, non bibam illum? Cohors ergo et tribunus et ministri Judaeorum comprehenderunt Jesum, et ligaverunt Eum : et adduxerunt Eum ad Annam primum, erat enim socer Caiphae, qui erat pontifex anni illius.

Erat autem Caiphas, qui consilium dederat Judaeis : Quia expedit, unum hominem mori pro populo. Sequebatur autem Jesum Simon Petrus et alius discipulus. Discipulus autem ille erat notus pontifici, et introivit cum Jesu in atrium pontificis. Petrus autem stabat ad ostium foris. Exivit ergo discipulus alius, qui erat notus pontifici, et dixit ostiariae : et introduxit Petrum. Dicit ergo Petro ancilla ostiaria : Numquid et tu ex discipulis es hominis istius? Dicit ille : Non sum. Stabant autem servi et ministri ad prunas, quia frigus erat, et calefaciebant se : erat autem cum eis et Petrus stans et calefaciens se.

Pontifex ergo interrogavit Jesum de discipulis Suis et de doctrina Ejus. Respondit ei Jesus : Ego palam locutus sum mundo : Ego semper docui in synagoga et in Templo, quo omnes Judaei conveniunt : et in occulto locutus sum nihil. Quid me interrogas? Interroga eos, qui audierunt, quid locutus sim ipsis : ecce, hi sciuntm quae dixerim Ego. Haec autem cum dixisset, unus assistens ministrorum dedit alapam Jesu, dicens : Sic respondens pontifici? Respondit ei Jesus : Si male locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo : si autem bene, quid me caedis?

Et misit eum Annas ligatum ad Caipham pontificem. Erat autem Simon Petrus stans et calefaciens se. Dixerunt ergo ei : Numquid ei tu ex discipulis Ejus es? Negavit ille et dixit : Non sum. Dicit ei unus ex servis pontificis, cognatus ejus, cujus abscidit Petrus auriculam : Nonne ego te vidi in horto cum illo? Iterum ergo negavit Petrus : et statim gallus cantavit.

Adducunt ergo Jesum a Caipha in praetorium. Erat autem mane : et ipsi non introierunt in praetorium, ut non contaminarentur, sed ut manducarent pascha. Exivit ergo Pilatus ad eos foras et dixit : Quam accusationem affertis adversus Hominem hunc? Responderunt et dixerunt ei : Si non esset hic malefactor, non tibi tradidissemus Eum. Dixit ergo eis Pilatus : Accipite eum vos, et secundum legem vestram judicate Eum. Dixerunt ergo ei Judaei : Nobis non licet interficere quemquam. Ut sermo Jesu impleretur, quem dixit, significans, qua morte esset moriturus.

Introivit ergo iterum in praetorium Pilatus, et vocavit Jesum et dixit ei : Tu es Rex Judaeorum? Respondit Jesus : A temetipso hoc dicis, an alii dixerunt tibi de Me? Respondit Pilatus : Numquid ego Judaeus sum? Gens Tua et pontifices tradiderunt Te mihi : quid fecisti? Respondit Jesus : Regnum Meum non est de hoc mundo. Si ex hoc mundo esset Regnum Meum, ministri Mei utique decertarent, ut non traderer Judaeis : nunc autem Regnum Meum non est hinc.

Dixit itaque Ei Pilatus : Ergo Rex es Tu? Respondit Jesus : Tu dicis, quia Rex sum Ego. Ego in hoc natus sum et ad hoc veni in mundum, ut testimonium perhibeam veritati : omnis, qui est ex veritate, audit vocem Meam. Dicit Ei Pilatus : Quid est veritas? Et cum hoc dixisset, iterum exivit ad Judaeos, et dicit eis : Ego nullam invenio in Eo causam. Est autem consuetudo vobis, ut unum dimittam vobis in Pascha : vultis ergo dimittam vobis Regem Judaeorum? Clamaverunt ergo rursum omnes, dicentes : Non Hunc, sed Barabbam. Erat autem Barabbas latro.

Tunc ergo apprehendit Pilatus Jesum et flagellavit. Et milites plectentes coronam de spinis, imposuerunt capiti Ejus : et veste purpurea circumdederunt Eum. Et veniebant ad Eum, et dicebant : Ave, Rex Judaeorum. Et dabant Ei alapas.

Exivit ergo iterum Pilatus foras et dicit eis : Ecce, adduco vobis eum foras, ut cognoscatis, quia nullam invenio in Eo causam. (Exivit ergo Jesus portans coronam spineam et purpureum vestimentum.) Et dicit eis : Ecce Homo. Cum ergo vidissent eum pontifices et ministri, clamabant, dicentes : Crucifige, crucifige Eum. Dicit eis Pilatus : Accipite Eum vos et crucifigite : ego enim non invenio in Eo causam. Responderunt ei Judaei : Nos legem habemus, et secundum legem debet mori, quia Filium Dei se fecit. Cum ergo audisset Pilatus hunc sermonem magis timuit.

Et ingressus est praetorium iterum : et dixit ad Jesum : Unde es Tu? Jesus autem responsum non dedit ei. Dicit ergo Ei Pilatus : Mihi non loqueris? nescis, quia potestatem habeo crucifigere Te, et potestatem habeo dimittere Te? Respondit Jesus : Non haberes potestatem adversum Me ullam, nisi tibi datum esset desuper. Propterea, qui Me tradidit tibi, majus peccatum habet. Et exinde quaerebat Pilatus dimittere Eum. Judaei autem clamabant dicentes : Si hunc dimittis, non es amicus Caesaris. Omnis enim, qui se regem facit, contradicit Caesari. Pilatus autem cum audisset hos sermones, adduxit foras Jesum, et sedit pro tribunali, in loco, qui dicitur Lithostrotos, hebraice autem Gabbatha. Erat autem Parasceve Paschae, hora quasi sexta, et dicit Judaeis : Ecce Rex vester. Illi autem clamabant : Tolle, Tolle, crucifige Eum. Dicit eis Pilatus : Regem vestrum crucifigam? Responderunt pontifices : Non habemus regem nisi Caesarem. Tunc ergo tradidit eis illum, ut crucifigeretur.

Susceperunt autem Jesum et eduxerunt. Et bajulans sibi Crucem, exivit in Eum, qui dicitur Calvariae, locum, hebraice autem Golgotha : ubi crucifixerunt Eum, et cum Eo alios duos, hinc et hinc, medium autem Jesum.

Scripsit autem et titulum Pilatus : et posuit super Crucem. Erat autem scriptum : Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum. Hunc ergo titulum multi Judaeorum legerunt, quia prope civitatem erat locus, ubi crucifixus est Jesus. Et erat scriptum hebraice, graece et latine. Dicebant ergo Pilato pontifices Judaeorum : Noli scribere Rex Judaeorum, sed quia ipse dixit : Rex sum Judaeorum. Respondit Pilatus : Quod scripsi, scripsi.

Milites ergo cum crucifixissent Eum, acceperunt vestimenta Ejus (et fecerunt quatuor partes : unicuique militi partem), et tunicam. Erat autem tunica inconsutilis, desuper contexta per totum. Dixerunt ergo ad invicem : Non scindamus eam, sed sortiamur de illa, cujus sit. Ut Scriptura impleretur, dicens : Partiti sunt vestimenta Mea sibi : et in vestem Meam miserunt sortem. Et milites quidem haec fecerunt.

Stabant autem juxta Crucem Jesu Mater Ejus et soror Matris Ejus, Maria Cleophae, et Maria Magdalene. Cum vidisset ergo Jesus Matrem et discipulum stantem, quem diligebat, dicit Matri Suae : Mulier, ecce filius tuus. Deinde dicit discipulo : Ecce Mater tua. Et ex illa hora accepit eam discipulus in sua.

Postea sciens Jesus, quia omnia consummata sunt, ut consummaretur Scriptura, dixit : Sitio. Vas ergo erat positum aceto plenum. Illi autem spongiam plenam aceto, hyssopo circumponentes, obtulerunt ori Ejus. Cum ergo accepisset Jesus acetum, dixit : Consummatum est. Et inclinate capite tradidit Spiritum.

(Kneel)

Judaei ergo (quoniam Parasceve erat), ut non remanerent in cruce corpora sabbato (erat enim magnus dies ille sabbati), rogaverunt Pilatum, ut frangerentur eorum crura et tollerentur. Venerunt ergo milites : et primi quidem fregerunt crura et alterius, qui crucifixus est cum Eo. Ad Jesum autem cum venissent, ut viderunt Eum jam mortuum, non fregerunt Ejus crura, sed unus militum lancea latus Ejus aperuit, et continuo exivit Sanguis et aqua.

Et qui vidit, testimonium perhibuit : et verum est testimonium ejus. Et ille scit, quia vera dicit : ut et vos credatis. Facta sunt enim haec, ut Scriptura impleretur. Os non comminuetis ex Eo. Et iterum alia Scriptura dicit : Videbunt in quem transfixerunt.

Post haec autem rogavit Pilatum Joseph ab Arimathaea (eo quod esset discipulus Jesu, occultus autem propter metum Judaeorum), ut tolleret Corpus Jesu. Et permisit Pilatus. Venit ergo et tulit Corpus Jesu. Venit autem et Nicodemus, qui venerat ad Jesum nocte primum, ferens mixturam myrrhae et aloes, quasi libras centum. Acceperunt ergo Corpus Jesu, et ligaverunt illud linteis cum aromatibus, sicut mos est Judaeis sepelire. Erat autem in loco, ubi crucifixus est, hortus : et in horto monumentum novum, in quo nondum quisquam positus erat. Ibi ergo propter Parasceven Judaeorum, quia juxta erat monumentum, posuerunt Jesum.

English translation

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John

At that time Jesus went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which He entered with His disciples. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often resorted there together with His disciples. Judas therefore having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Jesus therefore, knowing that all things that should come upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them. As soon therefore as He had said to them, “I am He.”, they went backward and fell to the ground. Again therefore He asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. If therefore you seek Me, let these go their way.” That the word might be fulfilled which He said, “Of those whom You have given me, I have not lost anyone.”

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the High Priest and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put up your sword in the scabbard. The chalice which My Father had given Me, shall I not drink it?” Then the band and the tribune and the servants of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high priest that year.

Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that One Man should die fo the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the High Priest and went in with Jesus into the court of the High Priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. The other disciple therefore, who was known to the High Priest, went out and spoke to the portress and brought in Peter. The maid therefore that was the portress said to Peter, “Are you not also one of this Man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and ministers stood at a fire of coals, because it was cold, and warmed themselves. And with them was Peter also, standing, and warming himself.

The High Priest therefore asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple, where all the Jews resort, and I have spoken nothing in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard what I have spoken unto them. Behold, they know what things I have said.” And when He had said these things, one of the servants, standing by, slapped Jesus, saying, “Is that how You answer the High Priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil, but if well, why did you strike Me?”

And Annas sent Him bound to Caiphas the High Priest. And Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “Are you not also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the High Priest (a kinsman to the one whose ear Peter cut off) said to him, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Again therefore Peter denied, and immediately, the cock crew.

They then led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor’s hall. And it was morning, and they did not go into the hall, that they might not be defiled, so that they could eat the Passover. Pilate therefore went out to them and said, “What accusation did you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him unto you.” Pilate therefore said to them, “Take Him yourself, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews therefore said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” This is so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He said, signifying by what kind of death He should die.

Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Did you say this thing of yourself, or have others told it to you of Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You up to me, what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now My Kingdom is not from hence.”

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a King then?” Jesus answered, “You said I am a King. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, that I should give testimony of the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no cause in Him. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Passover. Will you, therefore, that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” Then they cried all again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then therefore Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers put together a crown of thorns, putting it upon His head, and they put on Him a purple garment. And they came to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they slapped Him.

Pilate therefore went forth again and said to them, “Behold, I bring Him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in Him. (Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he said to them, “Behold the Man!” When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants had seen Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourself, and crucify Him, for I find no cause in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to the law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate, therefore, had heard this saying, he feared all the more.

And he entered into the hall again, and he said to Jesus, “Where did You come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to Him, “Do You not want to speak to Me? Do You know that I have the power to crucify You, and I have the power to release You?
” Jesus answered, “You should not have any power against Me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore, he that had delivered Me to you had the greater sin.
” And from henceforth, Pilate sought to release Him. But the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this Man, you are not the friend of Caesar. For whoever made Himself a King spoke against Caesar.” Now, when Pilate heard those words, he brought Jesus forth and sat down in the seat of judgment, in the place that is called Lithostrotos, and in Hebrew Gabbatha. And it was the eve of the Passover, about the sixth hour, and he said to the Jews, “Behold your King.” But they cried out, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then therefore, he delivered Him to them to be crucified.

And they took Jesus and led Him forth. And bearing His cross, He went forth to that place which is called Calvary but in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side and Jesus in the middle of them.

And Pilate also wrote a title, and he put it upon the Cross. And the writing was, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ This title therefore was read by many of the Jews, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek and in Latin. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, the King of the Jews, but that He said, I am the King of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.
“

The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Him, took His garments (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part) and also His coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They then said to one another, “Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be.” This is so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, which said, ‘They have parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture they have cast lots.’ And the soldiers indeed did these things.

Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore had seen His mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He said to His mother,

“Woman, behold your son.” After that, He said to the disciple, “Behold your Mother.” And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own house.

Afterwards, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.” Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about a hyssop, put it to His mouth. Jesus therefore, when He had taken the vinegar, said, “It is consummated.” And bowing His head, He gave up the Spirit.

(Kneel)

Then the Jews (because it was the eve of the Passover), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day (for that was a great Sabbath day), sought for Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came, and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with Him. But after they came to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out Blood and water.

And he who saw it had given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knew that what he said is true, that you may also believe. For these things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled : ‘You shall not break a bone of Him.’ And again another Scripture said : ‘They shall look on Him Whom they pierced.’

And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) sought for Pilate that he might take away the Body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him leave for that. He came therefore and took away the Body of Jesus. And Nicodemus also came (he who at the first came to Jesus by night), bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound in weight. They took therefore the Body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of how the Jews buried their dead. Now there was in the place where He was crucified a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre, in which no man had yet been laid. There, therefore, because of the eve of the Jewish Passover, they laid Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand.