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Gospel of Matthew 26:14 - 27:66
But Jesus cried out
again in a loud voice, and gave up his
spirit.
And behold, the
veil of the sanctuary was torn in two
from top to bottom. The earth quaked,
rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of
many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth
from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the
holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and
the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when
they saw the earthquake and all that was
happening, and they said, “Truly, this was
the Son of God!”
Holy Week is now officially here! Seems like only yesterday we received ashes on our foreheads. Now we receive palms in our hands signifying Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem. The large crowd scatter cloaks and tree branches for our Lord to process over. As prophesized by Isaiah: “Behold, your king
comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The crowds exclaim "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest." Sadly such blessing and festivity will take a drastic turn for the worst when Judah hands over Jesus for 30 silver pieces. That seems like a cheap price for killing the true Son of God.
Unique to the Lord's passion in the Gospel of Matthew is the description of the earthquakes and the breaking open of tombs after our Lord dies. Can you imagine living in Jerusalem after the crucifixion and having a dead relative visit you? Would you be scared, shocked, and in disbelief? What if the earth started shaking and trembling? Would you think the end of the world has arrived? With such huge signs as earthquakes and the dead rising, I'm sure many, many more people began to believe Jesus' divinity! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if guilt set in. We know Judas kills himself because of the shame of his betrayal. Who else may have followed his path?
During Holy Week, we should set aside some time out of our busy schedules to participate in liturgical celebrations. Personally, I've volunteered to serve communion during the Easter Triduum. This is a tradition for the past three years. It's a humbling experience bringing me closer to God as well as my parish family. I hope some people reading this blog may volunteer to serve in the Easter liturgies. If all else, attend the special services! The beginning of the week is a good time to seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation, too. Consider allotting 1 hour of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament as part of penance. Holy Week is truly a beautiful celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord!
Blessed Margaret of Castello, Pray for us!
-J.
Unique to the Lord's passion in the Gospel of Matthew is the description of the earthquakes and the breaking open of tombs after our Lord dies. Can you imagine living in Jerusalem after the crucifixion and having a dead relative visit you? Would you be scared, shocked, and in disbelief? What if the earth started shaking and trembling? Would you think the end of the world has arrived? With such huge signs as earthquakes and the dead rising, I'm sure many, many more people began to believe Jesus' divinity! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if guilt set in. We know Judas kills himself because of the shame of his betrayal. Who else may have followed his path?
During Holy Week, we should set aside some time out of our busy schedules to participate in liturgical celebrations. Personally, I've volunteered to serve communion during the Easter Triduum. This is a tradition for the past three years. It's a humbling experience bringing me closer to God as well as my parish family. I hope some people reading this blog may volunteer to serve in the Easter liturgies. If all else, attend the special services! The beginning of the week is a good time to seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation, too. Consider allotting 1 hour of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament as part of penance. Holy Week is truly a beautiful celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord!
Blessed Margaret of Castello, Pray for us!
-J.
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