Passion Sunday

By Msgr Michael de Verteuil

Chair, Liturgical Commission

Lent takes a shift this week as the liturgical readings move from readings preparing us for Baptism to looking now at the suffering of Christ. Today’s Gospel (Mt 26:14–27:66) is long, so it is difficult to give a short reflection.

It is a useful practice to read this Sunday’s gospel reflectively either in preparation for this Sunday or in the Holy Week ahead, and as we read, to remember that it is the story of how much we are loved, for all that Jesus goes through is for our sake. This Sunday we read The Passion according to Matthew; on Good Friday, it will be according to John.

We read of the betrayal by Judas, the Last Supper, the agony in the garden, the mocking of Jesus, Peter’s denial, Pilate and Barrabas, the crucifixion and the burial.

As we read, we reflect on the Lord’s love for us and for the Father. We see His trust in the Father and His desire to do the Father’s will. We read of His humility and total obedience to the Father in this torturous time, of His humility and obedience which undoes the pride and disobedience of Adam and Eve and restores what they lost. And we give thanks to the Lord for this love.

And as we read we call to mind the words of Pope Francis, “Why the Cross? Because Jesus takes upon himself the evil, the filth, the sin of the world, including the sin of all of us, and He cleanses it, He cleanses it with His blood, with the mercy and the love of God.”