Passion Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Passion Sunday (C), March 24, 2013
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14 - 23:56

"Do this as a remembrance of me."

The story of the Lord's Passion evokes an intensity and depth of feeling among Catholics. In the Philippines, the passion narrative is presented in Mass as a dialogue or a dramatization - with the priest-presider speaking the lines of Jesus, and the other members of the congregation taking the roles of Pontius Pilate, Simon Peter, the crowds, etc. This passion narrative in the gospel of Luke includes: the Last Supper event; the agony of the Lord in the Mount of Olives; the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot; the arrest, trial and condemnation of the Lord; the denial of Jesus by Simon Peter; the crucifixion and death of Jesus; and the burial of the Lord by Joseph of Arimathea.

We can learn about the mystery of the Lord's Passion not only in this gospel narrative in Luke, but also in traditional sources such as the homily of St. Gregory Nazianzen. St. Gregory Nazianzen can help us to see the Lord's Passion and his Cross as a call to stop sinning and receive our salvation. Written below is a quote from that homily:

"For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself [like one of the two criminals]. Derive some benefit from the very shame, purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen."

The Lord's Passion reveals God's mercy for all humanity - for all who have sinned. His Passion shows as a Way to return to the Father. Thus, to do our part, we can show our love for God by our fidelity to the Lenten discipline. It is not easy to pray, to abstain and fast, and to practice works of charity faithfully during the whole Lenten season. But it is a discipline that is needed to be practiced every year. In whatever one has fallen short of this year, or was amiss in what is required for this Lent, can be hopefully seen as an opportunity to make amends, and to strengthen one's resolve to cease from sin: to love the Lord with a work and life that pleases Him and serves others - recalling His words "Do this as a remembrance of me".

Scripture quotes for reflection:

"Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." (Isaiah 50)
"They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones." (Psalm 22)
"He emptied himself and took the form of a slave." (Philippians 2)