Palm Sunday of the Lord’S Passion March 28, 2021 Our Mission Is to Serve God and to Welcome All People to God’S Love

St. Joseph’s Church St. Paul’s Church

3159 Route 9N, PO Box 547 St. Joseph’s Greenfield Center, NY 12833 St. Paul’s 3159 Route 9N, 518-893-7680 [email protected] 771 Route 29, Greenfield Center StJosephsChurchGreenfieldCenter.org Rock City Falls Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 28, 2021 Our mission is to serve God and to welcome all people to God’s love. Pastoral Council Parish Administrator Mass Schedule

The next Pastoral Council meeting 4 pm Saturday at St. Joseph’s Rev. Simon Udemgba, Ph.D. 8:30 am Sunday at St. Paul’s TBA [email protected] 10:30 am Sunday at St. Joseph’s [email protected] 9:00 am 2nd Mondays at St. Paul’s Food Pantries 9:00 am Wednesdays at St. Joseph’s Greenfield Community Center Associate for Administration 25 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center Reconciliation Deacon John Barone by appointment with Fr. Simon Wednesdays 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm [email protected] Baptisms

A pre-baptismal class is required. St. Paul’s Church Pastoral Associate for Parish Administration Staffed by ECHO volunteers Please contact Deacon John 771 Route 29, Rock City Falls Margie Carroll for an appointment Tuesdays 9 am - 11:30 am 518-698-9000 or for more information [email protected] New to our parish? Register online or call the office.

At Our Eucharistic Celebrations this week… St. Joseph’s St. Paul’s St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s Saturday at 4 pm Sunday at 8:30 am Sunday at 10:30 am Wednesday at 9:00 am Fanny & Peter Campanella Connie Sykora We remember We remember have asked us to remember has asked us to remember Our Parish Family Our Parish Family Alexander Durante John M. Sykora No Wednesday morning Mass Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord on 3/31 Many struggle with Jesus. Some who consider themselves faithful “Adoration” hail him in their churches but still struggle to figure out what to do Wednesday, March 31 with him on our streets. The message is somehow more palatable 4-6 pm at St. Joseph’s when it echoes pious renderings and sentiments and involves singing hosannas during worship. It becomes a bit trickier when it gets to the Holy Thursday, April 1 part about changing the way we conduct the business of our lives, 7:00 pm Mass at St. Joseph’s becoming more sensitive to the disadvantaged, poor, and Good Friday, April 2 marginalized, and living as servants of our Loving Creator. Ultimately, it is a struggle between wanting to be God ourselves and 9am to 5pm Day of Penance & Reconciliation at St. Joseph’s letting God be God as God is. That’s why it’s so easy to become Fr. Simon will be in the confessional at St Joseph’s for hypocritical. We, like those who hailed Christ as he arrived in anyone who would like to fulfill their Easter duty by going Jerusalem and sent Christ to the cross to die, also talk out of both to confession sides of our mouths. We entertain what suits us at the time and walk

5:00 pm Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph’s away from the rest. Many neglect God’s beautiful creation because they prefer what 7:00 pm Good Friday Passion Celebration at St. Paul’s humans have made instead. Progress isn’t seen in preserving and enhancing what God has made but replacing it with something we Easter Saturday Vigil: April 3 believe is better and more useful. The earth, flowers, and animals are 7:00 pm Mass at St. Joseph’s all expendable if they stand in the way of the “more” we want to Easter Sunday: April 4 achieve. We seek to remove as many obstacles and hurdles as 8:30 am at St. Paul’s possible in search of the easiest, quickest, and most efficient path we 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s can find. We have created drugs and laws that preserve our free choice, even though it may mean setting aside God’s vision and No sign up or reservation needed example. Why suffer when we can easily be put to rest? Why endure insult or injury when we can retaliate, eliminate or subdue? Why FAITH FORMATION accept life when it is acceptable to choose otherwise? We want to Administrator: registrations, fees & sacramental records be God and resist accepting the fact that our real Creator has Margie Carroll 698-9000; [email protected] already given us the blueprints for the life we need to live in the Coordinator for Faith Formation Beatitudes and in the example of his Passion. We don’t like being Joe Varone 583-1348; [email protected] stewards and managers and really want the power to do as we Coordinator for K-9th Grade wish and desire. We want to create our own way. Lida Varone 583-1348; [email protected] Where has the true, effective Christian voice been through all of Coordinator for First Communion the wars and violence, prejudice and unjust conquests, abuse of Cindy Sharpe 893-0202; [email protected] human beings and attempted extinctions of nationalities, the Coordinator for Confirmation, Adult Faith Formation, RCIA establishments of procedures and protocols that serve only a few Joe Varone 583-1348; [email protected] and not the many and all of the injustices and exploitations that are a part of our human history? A few courageous prophets have stood up and out throughout all of the comings and goings of our CHRISTIAN OUTREACH human journey with many receiving the same fate as the Chairperson: Janet Singer 893-7342 [email protected] Crucified One we hail this week. Some still walk among us as Greenfield Food Pantry: Patty Schwartzbeck 893-7074 shining stars showing us how it really can be. How would Jesus’ Rock City Falls Food Pantry: Tony Zanella 584-8550 journey have ended if he lived life as we do? Unless we encounter Meal Train requests - contact the parish office the good with the bad, the just with the unjust, the grace with the sin, the glory with the cross, the death with the life we most certainly risk rendering God obsolete. After all, haven’t we already convinced ourselves that we can do better?

PRAYER & WORSHIP Liturgical Coordinator: Dcn. John Barone [email protected] Ministry Schedules: Jami & Rob Hawthorne [email protected] Music Director: Mandy Marcolin 879-7242 [email protected] The mission of VCHC is to provide housing and support services Prayer Line: Terry Hoffman 812-7898 to all homeless military veterans and their families and to [email protected] advocate on behalf of all military veterans and their families and to provide housing opportunities for low income households. Adoration Our Christian Service committee will be collecting personal and of the Blessed Sacrament cleaning supplies through the month of April fpr VCHC.. Wednesday, March 31 For more information and other ways you can help, please visit: at St. Joseph’s https://www.vchcny.org/ Adoration will begin at 4:00pm Benediction at 5:45pm Birthright Office Volunteers Needed Join us for the next 3-part training session being offered this spring. We will teach you what you need to know. Classes will be held on 3 consecutive Mondays, April 5, 12, and 19 from 9 Seven Sundays Devotion AM to 11 AM. Masks and social distancing are in place during The Seven Sundays Devotion is a long- training. In addition, when the office is open, Birthright standing tradition of the Church which volunteers and clients wear masks and can easily maintain social honors the seven joys and seven sorrows distancing in our spacious office. Call Susan at 518-430-7922 for that St. Joseph experienced as husband of details. the Mother of God, faithful guardian of Chocolates Christ, and head of the holy family. Treat your loved ones, friends, and yourself to homemade The devotion is a prayerful opportunity chocolates for Mother’s Day, a birthday, thank you, anniversary to “help us find out what God is telling us gift or any other special occasion while supporting Birthright at through the simple life of Mary’s the same time. The Saratoga Candy Company in the heart of husband” downtown Saratoga Springs has generously agreed to partner (St. Josemaria Escriva; with Birthright on a new fundraiser. Please call Rose Petrak at Christ is Passing By, no. 39). 518-309-3575 to order a delicious 1 lb. box of assorted milk & In honor of our patron saint, we began this devotion on March 7. dark chocolates for $20. Orders must be prepaid by check, which Please see this week’s devotion on page 4 of this bulletin. can be mailed or dropped off at the Birthright office. For your Or visit https://stjosemaria.org/seven-sundays-devotion-st-joseph/ convenience, chocolates will be available for pick-up at the Birthright office in Ballston Spa or at a Birthright volunteer’s home in Albany, Clifton Park, Mechanicville, Northville, Saratoga Springs, Schaghticoke, or Waterford. The volunteer PASTORAL COUNCIL will call you in advance to arrange pick-up during the week of Chairperson: Becky Craig 596-2099 May 2nd. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and for sharing [email protected] your love for life with Birthright. It is through your kindness that Monica Berrios-McKeon, Roy Dumar, Anthony Mamone, we continue to help the young women who call on Birthright for Allison Murphy, Lida Varone, Tony Zanella support. Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 28, 2021 BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Chairperson: Mark Vanasdale [email protected]

Help Needed! Many tasks in our parish are accomplished by volunteers. This certainly allows our monetary contributions to go further. The Buildings & Grounds Committee could use extra hands for our Spring Cleanups! Saturday, April 17th 9 am - 1 pm – St. Joseph’s Saturday, April 24th 9 am - 1 pm– St. Paul’s Please bring a rake & blower if you have one. FINANCE Coffee & Chairperson: Ed Rourke 893-0026 donuts will [email protected] be served Special Collections this Week Holy Thursday - for our local poor Good Friday - the Holy Land STEWARDSHIP Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Trustees: Mike Markus 879-5390 Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your [email protected] support helps the church minister in parishes, provide Catholic Warren Pabst 893-2039 schools and offer religious education. It also helps to preserve the [email protected] sacred shrines. The wars, unrest and instability have been especial y hard on Everyday Stewardship Christians. In these times of crisis, the Pontifical Good Friday Walk Every Step with Christ Collections provides humanitarian aid to refugees. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Frida y Collection, Holy Week is a week for being mindful. We must set loose the you become an instrument of peace and join with Catholics baggage of Lent, and not be deterred by the dazzling sunrise of around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. Easter morning beckoning in the distance.

It’s okay for us to be excited for Easter. We’ve waited so long, after all. In my opinion it’s one of the best feelings there is: the SOCIAL, COMMUNITY & HOSPITALITY yearning we have in our hearts for the Resurrection as we embark Hospitality: Rebecca Cronin 893-0302 on Palm Sunday. And in a purely logical sense, many of us have [email protected] Easter celebrations for which we are preparing, and practical Fr. Simon’s Mystery Meals: Anthony Mamone considerations to contend with. It’s going to be a busy week, one 763-1624 or [email protected] likely full of happy distractions.

But my friends, we simply must keep our feet on the ground. Knights of Columbus #246 Fish Fry Let’s not “skip” Holy Week. Resist the urge to flip to the last Friday, April 2, page of the book, to fast-forward to the final scene of the movie. Pickup 5:00 – 7:30 PM Don’t rob yourself of the journey. This week is a blessed Fried or Baked Haddock $14 or Fried Clams $12 opportunity. It is this week that teaches us who we are. In the The above served w/ fries, coleslaw, tartar & cocktail sauces span of the Triduum, we have the birthday of the priesthood, the Shrimp Salad Special $10 served with fries & coleslaw institution of the Eucharist, the sacrifice on Calvary and so many Homemade Macaroni & Cheese $5 other vivid and meaningful scenes. New England or Manhattan Clam Chowder Pint/$7 Quart/$13 Side of French fries $3 Choice of Dessert $2 It may sound strange, to advise someone to savor the moments of Orders will be taken by calling 518-584-8547 Holy Week. There are so many violent and heartrending on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, from 1:00 to 4:00. moments, after all. But this is the valley of tears, remember — we Pickup starts at 5:00 and every 15 minutes thereafter. are not in Heaven yet. And here, in our fallen, sin-filled world, it You are welcome to come into the building with a mask, or you is the heartrending moments that seem to matter the most. may call from the parking lot upon your arrival with a description These are the moments that define us as Catholics. Live them. of your vehicle and your meal will be brought out to you. Cherish them. Be present for each one. The meal is open to the public and we thank you for your contin- — Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi ued support of our events through these challenging times.

At Our Eucharistic Celebrations next week… St. Joseph’s St. Paul’s St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s Saturday at 4 pm Sunday at 8:30 am Sunday at 10:30 am Wednesday at 9:00 am

We remember We remember We remember We remember Our Parish Family Our Parish Family Our Parish Family Our Parish Family SEVEN SUNDAYS DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH ST. JOSEMARIA INSTITUTE

INTRODUCTION

The Seven Sundays Devotion is a long-standing tradition of the Church in preparation for the feast of St. Joseph on March 19. The devotion begins on the seventh Sunday before March 19 and honors the seven joys and seven sorrows that St. Joseph experienced as husband of the Mother of God, faithful guardian of Christ, and head of the holy family. The devotion is a prayerful opportunity to “help us find out what God is telling us through the simple life of Mary’s husband” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Christ is Passing By, no. 39). ST.

JOSE PH, PATRON AND GUARDIAN

“The whole Church recognizes St Joseph as a patron and guardian. For centuries many different features of his life have caught the attention of believers. He was a man ever faithful to the mission God gave him. That is why, for many years now, I have liked to address him affectionately as ‘our father and lord.’

“St Joseph really is a father and lord. He protects those who revere him and accompanies them on their journey through this life – just as he protected and accompanied Jesus when he was growing up. As you get to know him, you discover that the holy patriarch is also a master of the interior life – for he teaches us to know Jesus and share our life with him, and to realize that we are part of God’s family. St Joseph can teach us these lessons, because he is an ordinary man, a family man, a worker who earned his living by manual labor – all of which has great significance and is a source of happiness for us.” St. Josemaria Escriva Christ is Passing By, no. 39

FOURTH SUNDAY

His sorrow when he heard the prophecy of Simeon; His joy when he learned that many would be saved through the sufferings of Jesus

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER O most faithful Saint Joseph, who shared the mysteries of our redemption, the prophecy of Simeon, touching the sufferings of Jesus and Mary, caused you to shudder with mortal dread but at the same time filled you with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection that would be attained by countless souls. By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be of the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.

GOSPEL READING | LUKE 2 : 22-35 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

REFLECTION “When relating these events in his Gospel, St Matthew continually emphasizes Joseph’s faithfulness. He kept the commandments of God without wavering, even though the meaning of those commandments was sometimes obscure or their relation to the rest of the divine plan hidden from him” (Christ is Passing By, no. 42).

Conclude by praying the Litany of St. Joseph found on the next page . LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH Lord, have mercy… Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy… Christ, have mercy. Holy Trinity, one God… Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary… Pray for us. St. Joseph… Pray for us. Noble son of the House of David… Pray for us. Light of patriarchs… Pray for us. Husband of the Mother of God… Pray for us. Guardian of the Virgin… Pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God… Pray for us. Faithful guardian of Christ… Pray for us. Head of the holy family… Pray for us. Joseph, chaste and just… Pray for us. Joseph, prudent and brave… Pray for us. Joseph, obedient and loyal… Pray for us. Pattern of patience… Pray for us. Lover of poverty… Pray for us. Model of workers… Pray for us. Example to parents… Pray for us. Guardian of virgins… Pray for us. Pillar of family life… Pray for us. Comfort of the troubled… Pray for us. Hope of the sick… Pray for us. Patron of the dying… Pray for us. Terror of evil spirits… Pray for us. Protector of the Church… Pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world… Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world… Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world… Have mercy on us.

God made him master of his household… And put him in charge of all that he owned.

Let us pray: Almighty God, in your infinite wisdom and love you chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary, the mother of your Son. As we enjoy his protection on earth, may we have the help of his prayers in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. At the Procession with Palms - Gospel Mk 11:1-10 or option below Responsorial Psalm When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? he sent two of his disciples and said to them, All who see me scoff at me; “Go into the village opposite you, they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: and immediately on entering it, “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. let him rescue him, if he loves him.” Untie it and bring it here. R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? If anyone should say to you, Indeed, many dogs surround me, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; ‘The Master has need of it They have pierced my hands and my feet; and will send it back here at once.’” I can count all my bones. So they went off R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, They divide my garments among them, and they untied it. and for my vesture they cast lots. Some of the bystanders said to them, But you, O LORD, be not far from me; “What are you doing, untying the colt?” O my help, hasten to aid me. They answered them just as Jesus had told them to, R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? and they permitted them to do it. I will proclaim your name to my brethren; So they brought the colt to Jesus in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: and put their cloaks over it. “You who fear the LORD, praise him; And he sat on it. all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; Many people spread their cloaks on the road, revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” and others spread leafy branches R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Reading II Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Phil 2:6-11 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, Hosanna in the highest!” did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. OR: Rather, he emptied himself, Jn 12:12-16 taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard and found human in appearance, that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, he humbled himself, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: becoming obedient to the point of death, “Hosanna! even death on a cross. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Because of this, God greatly exalted him the king of Israel.” and bestowed on him the name Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: which is above every name, Fear no more, O daughter Zion; that at the name of Jesus see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt. every knee should bend, His disciples did not understand this at first, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, but when Jesus had been glorified and every tongue confess that they remembered that these things were written about him Jesus Christ is Lord, and that they had done this for him. to the glory of God the Father.

At the Mass - Reading I Verse before the Gospel Is 50:4-7 Phil 2:8-9 The Lord GOD has given me Christ became obedient to the point of death, a well-trained tongue, even death on a cross. that I might know how to speak to the weary Because of this, God greatly exalted him a word that will rouse them. and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; Gospel and I have not rebelled, Mk 14:1—15:47 have not turned back. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread I gave my back to those who beat me, were to take place in two days’ time. my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way my face I did not shield to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. from buffets and spitting. They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.” The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, Then, after singing a hymn, costly genuine spikenard. they went out to the Mount of Olives. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. Then Jesus said to them, “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages I will strike the shepherd, and the money given to the poor.” and the sheep will be dispersed. They were infuriated with her. But after I have been raised up, Jesus said, “Let her alone. I shall go before you to Galilee.” Why do you make trouble for her? Peter said to him, She has done a good thing for me. “Even though all should have their faith shaken, The poor you will always have with you, mine will not be.” and whenever you wish you can do good to them, Then Jesus said to him, but you will not always have me. "Amen, I say to you, She has done what she could. this very night before the cock crows twice She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. you will deny me three times.” Amen, I say to you, But he vehemently replied, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, “Even though I should have to die with you, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him and he said to his disciples, money. “Sit here while I pray.” Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Remain here and keep watch.” his disciples said to him, He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed “Where do you want us to go that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. He sent two of his disciples and said to them, Take this cup away from me, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, but not what I will but what you will.” carrying a jar of water. When he returned he found them asleep. Follow him. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, Could you not keep watch for one hour? ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Make the preparations for us there.” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, The disciples then went off, entered the city, for they could not keep their eyes open and found it just as he had told them; and did not know what to answer him. and they prepared the Passover. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. It is enough. The hour has come. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, Get up, let us go. one who is eating with me.” See, my betrayer is at hand.” They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” Then, while he was still speaking, He said to them, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, who had come from the chief priests, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. the scribes, and the elders. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; While they were eating, arrest him and lead him away securely.” he took bread, said the blessing, He came and immediately went over to him and said, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. “Take it; this is my body.” At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, One of the bystanders drew his sword, and they all drank from it. struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. He said to them, Jesus said to them in reply, “This is my blood of the covenant, “Have you come out as against a robber, which will be shed for many. with swords and clubs, to seize me? Amen, I say to you, Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” And they all left him and fled. The chief priests accused him of many things. Now a young man followed him Again Pilate questioned him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. “Have you no answer? They seized him, See how many things they accuse you of.” but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

They led Jesus away to the high priest, Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. one prisoner whom they requested. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard A man called Barabbas was then in prison and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin The crowd came forward and began to ask him kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to do for them as he was accustomed. in order to put him to death, but they found none. Pilate answered, Many gave false witness against him, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” but their testimony did not agree. For he knew that it was out of envy Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, that the chief priests had handed him over. alleging, “We heard him say, But the chief priests stirred up the crowd ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands to have him release Barabbas for them instead. and within three days I will build another Pilate again said to them in reply, not made with hands.’” “Then what do you want me to do Even so their testimony did not agree. with the man you call the king of the Jews?” The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, They shouted again, “Crucify him.” saying, “Have you no answer? Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” What are these men testifying against you?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” But he was silent and answered nothing. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, Again the high priest asked him and said to him, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” handed him over to be crucified. Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man The soldiers led him away inside the palace, seated at the right hand of the Power that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” They clothed him in purple and, At that the high priest tore his garments and said, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. “What further need have we of witnesses? They began to salute him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!” You have heard the blasphemy. and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. What do you think?” They knelt before him in homage. They all condemned him as deserving to die. And when they had mocked him, Some began to spit on him. they stripped him of the purple cloak, They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” dressed him in his own clothes, And the guards greeted him with blows. and led him out to crucify him.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, one of the high priest’s maids came along. a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, Seeing Peter warming himself, the father of Alexander and Rufus, she looked intently at him and said, to carry his cross. “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it saying, They brought him to the place of Golgotha “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” — which is translated Place of the Skull —, So he went out into the outer court. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, Then the cock crowed. but he did not take it. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, Then they crucified him and divided his garments “This man is one of them.” by casting lots for them to see what each should take. Once again he denied it. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, The inscription of the charge against him read, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” “The King of the Jews.” He began to curse and to swear, With him they crucified two revolutionaries, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” one on his right and one on his left. And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Those passing by reviled him, Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, shaking their heads and saying, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” “Aha! You who would destroy the temple He broke down and wept. and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” As soon as morning came, Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. “He saved others; he cannot save himself. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, Pilate questioned him, come down now from the cross “Are you the king of the Jews?” that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him At noon darkness came over the whole land to do for them as he was accustomed. until three in the afternoon. Pilate answered, And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” For he knew that it was out of envy which is translated, that the chief priests had handed him over. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But the chief priests stirred up the crowd Some of the bystanders who heard it said, to have him release Barabbas for them instead. “Look, he is calling Elijah.” Pilate again said to them in reply, One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed “Then what do you want me to do and gave it to him to drink saying, with the man you call the king of the Jews?” “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” Here all kneel and pause for a short time. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. handed him over to be crucified. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, The soldiers led him away inside the palace, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. There were also women looking on from a distance. They clothed him in purple and, Among them were Mary Magdalene, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. and ministered to him. They knelt before him in homage. There were also many other women And when they had mocked him, who had come up with him to Jerusalem. they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, When it was already evening, and led him out to crucify him. since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a distinguished member of the council, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, the father of Alexander and Rufus, came and courageously went to Pilate to carry his cross. and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. They brought him to the place of Golgotha He summoned the centurion —which is translated Place of the Skull — and asked him if Jesus had already died. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, And when he learned of it from the centurion, but he did not take it. he gave the body to Joseph. Then they crucified him and divided his garments Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, by casting lots for them to see what each should take. wrapped him in the linen cloth, It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. The inscription of the charge against him read, Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. “The King of the Jews.” Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses With him they crucified two revolutionaries, watched where he was laid. one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, OR: shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple Mk 15:1-39 and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” As soon as morning came, Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. “He saved others; he cannot save himself. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, Pilate questioned him, come down now from the cross “Are you the king of the Jews?” that we may see and believe.” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, At noon darkness came over the whole land “Have you no answer? until three in the afternoon. See how many things they accuse you of.” And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” one prisoner whom they requested. Some of the bystanders who heard it said, A man called Barabbas was then in prison “Look, he is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas I give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who have been pleased to nourish me, a sinner and your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: this through no merits of mine, but due solely to the graciousness of your mercy.

And I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for me an offense to be punished, but a saving plea for forgiveness. May it be for me the armor of faith, and the shield of good will. May it cancel my faults, destroy concupiscence and carnal passion, increase charity and patience, humility and obedience and all the virtues, may it be a firm defense against the snares of all my enemies, both visible and invisible, the complete calming of my impulses, both of the flesh and of the spirit, a firm adherence to you, the one tru God, and the joyful completion of my life’s course.

And I beseech you to lead me, a sinner, to that banquet beyond all telling, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you are the rue light of your Saints, fullness of satisfied desire, eternal gladness, consummate delight and perfect happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen