Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

Luke's Passion Narrative

~ Kelly Anderson, S.S.L., Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biblical Studies for the Major Seminary, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary + Ambler, Pa.

In Year C, or the 3^rd liturgical year, the Church proclaims the Gospel of Luke, and this culminates on Palm Sunday with the proclamation of the Lucan Passion.

There are several interesting details in Luke’s Passion account which show the merciful and conciliatory aspect of Jesus’ mission and atonement on the cross. 

Only Luke portrays Jesus as healing the ear of the high priest’s servant (22:51). Only Luke shows Jesus barely rebuking the disciples for sleeping in the Agony of the Garden (22:46) and moving Peter to tears with his gaze (22:61). In the Jewish trial, there are no witnesses and no testimony, painting the Jews in a more positive light (22:67-71). Only Luke recounts that Pilate and Herod, previously enemies, became friends that very day, thus Jesus’ reconciliatory mission touches even them (23:12). And, only Luke recounts that Jesus prays for his executioners’ pardon (23:34), and that Jesus promises the Good Thief that he will be in paradise with him that day (23:43). Jesus’ soul is not “sorrowful until death,” nor does he cry out asking why God has abandoned him (Mark 14:34; 15:34). Instead, Jesus peacefully and trustingly commends his spirit to God (23:46).

Unlike in Matthew and Mark, the tearing of the temple veil is prior to the death of the Lord (23:45), for after his death, there is only the grace of repentance. Jesus, who had been condemned for “misleading the people” and opposing the “payment of taxes to Caesar” is rightly declared innocent by the centurion (23:47). The Jewish multitude who looked on the death of Jesus returns “beating their breasts” in repentance (23:48). And Joseph of Arimathea asks for the body to give Jesus a proper burial (23:53).

Thus, Jesus’ compassionate and healing ministry reaches its culmination in the cross where Jesus mercifully reconciles the world to the Father, and people respond with correct knowledge of Jesus, repentance for sins, and a desire to give rightful worship to the Lord.

The Cross of Cowardice

~ Matthew Gambino

Saint Teresa of Avila Parish + Norristown, Pa.

Like a favorite movie that, when it comes on TV, you watch again even though you know what will happen, such is the Gospel for this Sunday’s Passion Sunday. You know how it begins, how it ends, and much of the dialogue by heart.

Immersed in a movie’s scenes, you tell yourself that you’d do better than the bad guys. Just so in this Sunday’s tale, I believe I’d act better than the disciples.

Perhaps not. I might fail to catch what Jesus meant by “This is my body, which will be given for you.” I might not risk defending Jesus against the persecution of the Sanhedrin. I might stand by idly on the road as the battered Jesus carried his cross.

As much as I imagine myself more faithful, deep down I’m as human as those disciples. I might well be just as mute or absent as them.

Palm Sunday’s meditation on suffering unfolds, and from my pew I stand with the cowardice, shame, and doubt of the crowd, even with those shouting “Crucify him!”. There is something of these characters in me and in all of us.

In this week we call “holy” we begin to walk humbly with the Lord as he accepts the suffering that would lead to his death, and three days later, to his resurrection and our redemption.

Passion Sunday challenges me to accept and not deny my own flaws and sins, to hoist my particular cross and follow Jesus on the road ahead. His way leads not to the finality of death but the fulfillment of eternal life.