Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
One option for Easter Sunday morning’s Mass is from the Gospel of John (20:1-8). (I have written before on the Matthean Gospel option (here)). Like most of the resurrection accounts, John’s version paints a portrait of a journey that some of the early disciples have to make: out of fear and into faith. It shows …
Where is Christ after He dies on Friday afternoon and before He rises on Easter Sunday? Both Scripture and Tradition answer this question. Consider the following excerpt from a second century sermon as well as this meditation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday (ca. 2nd century A.D.): Today a …
Continue reading “Where Is Jesus Between His Death and Resurrection?”
Jesus was arrested late Thursday evening. The Scriptures recount, They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together (Mark 14:53). According to Mark’s chronology there was a sham of a trial, based on false evidence and distortions of Jesus’ teachings. Now the …
Continue reading “What Happened With The Lord on Good Friday?”
According to the Synoptic Gospels, sundown of Holy Thursday ushered in the Passover. Later on this evening, the Lord will celebrate the Passover meal with His disciples. We ought to be mindful that the unleavened bread Jesus will take in His hands is called “the bread of affliction.” Scripture says, You shall eat [the Passover] …
Continue reading “What was the Lord Doing on Thursday of Holy Week?”
Two momentous days have passed: On Monday there was the cleansing of the Temple and the laments over Jerusalem’s lack of faith; Tuesday featured exhaustive teachings by Jesus and interrogations by His opponents. Today, Wednesday, it would seem that Jesus stays in Bethany. According to Matthew’s Gospel, the day begins with an ominous warning: When …
Continue reading “What Was the Lord Doing on Wednesday of Holy Week?”
It is Tuesday of Holy Week. Jesus likely arises early, as did all the ancients. Days both ended and started early, at dusk and dawn, prior to the advent of electric lighting. They leave Bethany and head back to Jerusalem. Perhaps a few converts can be made before the transcendent events of the Passion begin. …
Continue reading “What Was the Lord Doing on Tuesday of Holy Week?”
According to Matthew 21:10-17, Mark 11:15-17, and Luke 19:45-46, Jesus returns to Jerusalem today. Seeing shameful practices in the Temple area, He cleanses it. The Gospels also recount His weeping over Jerusalem and His cursing of the fig tree. Matthew and Mark relate that He returned to Bethany that night. Let’s look to the details. …
Continue reading “What Was the Lord Doing on Monday of Holy Week?”
The Passion, which we read in the liturgy for Palm Sunday, is too long to comment on in detail, so we will only examine a portion of it here. It may be of some value to examine the problems associated with the more moderate range of personalities involved. The usual villains (the Temple leaders, Judas, …
Continue reading “See What the End Shall Be – A Homily for Palm Sunday”