The Sunday Reading

Palm Sunday
First Reading - Is 50:4-7

4. The Lord has given me a learned tongue, so that I would know how to uphold with a word, one who has weakened. He rises in the morning, he rises to my ear in the morning, so that I may heed him like a teacher.
5. The Lord God has opened my ear. And I do not contradict him. I have not turned back.
6. I have given my body to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who plucked them. I have not averted my face from those who rebuked me and who spit on me.
7. The Lord God is my helper. Therefore, I have not been confounded. Therefore, I have set my face like a very hard rock, and I know that I will not be confounded.

Psalm - Ps 22:8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24

8. All those who saw me have derided me. They have spoken with the lips and shook the head.
9. He has hoped in the Lord, let him rescue him. Let him save him because he chooses him.
17. For many dogs have surrounded me. The council of the malicious has besieged me. They have pierced my hands and feet.
18. They have numbered all my bones. And they have examined me and stared at me.
19. They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment, they cast lots.
20. But you, O Lord, do not take your help far from me; be attentive to my defense.
23. I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the Church, I will praise you.
24. You who fear the Lord, praise him. All the offspring of Jacob, glorify him.

Second Reading - Phil 2:6-11

6. Brothers and Sisters: Jesus Christ who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be seized.
7. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and accepting the state of a man.
8. He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even the death of the Cross.
9. Because of this, God has also exalted him and has given him a name which is above every name,
10. so that, at the name of Jesus, every knee would bend, of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those in hell,
11. and so that every tongue would confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Gospel - Lk 22:14-23:56

14. And when the hour had arrived, he sat down at table, and the twelve Apostles with him.
15. And he said to them: “With longing have I desired to eat this Passover with you, before I suffer.
16. For I say to you, that from this time, I will not eat it, until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17. And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and he said: “Take this and share it among yourselves.
18. For I say to you, that I will not drink from the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God arrives.”
19. And taking bread, he gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them, saying: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this as a commemoration of me.”
20. Similarly also, he took the chalice, after he had eaten the meal, saying: “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.
21. But in truth, behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me at table.
22. And indeed, the Son of man goes according to what has been determined. And yet, woe to that man by whom he will be betrayed.”
23. And they began to inquire among themselves, as to which of them might do this.
24. Now there was also a contention among them, as to which of them seemed to be the greater.
25. And he said to them: “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them; and those who hold authority over them are called beneficent.
26. But it must not be so with you. Instead, whoever is greater among you, let him become the lesser. And whoever is the leader, let him become the server.
27. For who is greater: he who sits at table, or he who serves? Is not he who sits at table? Yet I am in your midst as one who serves.
28. But you are those who have remained with me during my trials.
29. And I dispose to you, just as my Father has disposed to me, a kingdom,
30. so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and so that you may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
31. And the Lord said: “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan has asked for you, so that he may sift you like wheat.
32. But I have prayed for you, so that your faith may not fail, and so that you, once converted, may confirm your brothers.”
33. And he said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go with you, even to prison and to death.”
34. And he said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you have three times denied that you know me.” And he said to them,
35. “When I sent you without money or provisions or shoes, did you lack anything?”
36. And they said, “Nothing.” Then he said to them: “But now, let whoever has money take it, and likewise with provisions. And whoever does not have these, let him sell his coat and buy a sword.
37. For I say to you, that what has been written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was esteemed with the wicked.’ Yet even these things about me have an end.”
38. So they said, “Lord, behold, there are two swords here.” But he said to them, “It is sufficient.”
39. And departing, he went out, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him.
40. And when he had arrived at the place, he said to them: “Pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
41. And he was separated from them by about a stone’s throw. And kneeling down, he prayed,
42. saying: “Father, if you are willing, take this chalice away from me. Yet truly, let not my will, but yours, be done.”
43. Then an Angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more intensely;
44. and so his sweat became like drops of blood, running down to the ground.
45. And when he had risen up from prayer and had gone to his disciples, he found them sleeping out of sorrow.
46. And he said to them: “Why are you sleeping? Rise up, pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
47. While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd arrived. And he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, went ahead of them and approached Jesus, in order to kiss him.
48. And Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?”
49. Then those who were around him, realizing what was about to happen, said to him: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50. And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51. But in response, Jesus said, “Permit even this.” And when he had touched his ear, he healed him.
52. Then Jesus said to the leaders of the priests, and the magistrates of the temple, and the elders, who had come to him: “Have you gone out, as if against a thief, with swords and clubs?
53. When I was with you each day in the temple, you did not extend your hands against me. But this is your hour and that of the power of darkness.”
54. And apprehending him, they led him to the house of the high priest. Yet truly, Peter followed at a distance.
55. Now as they were sitting around a fire, which had been kindled in the middle of the atrium, Peter was in their midst.
56. And when a certain woman servant had seen him sitting in its light, and had looked at him intently, she said, “This one was also with him.”
57. But he denied him by saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”
58. And after a little while, another one, seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” Yet Peter said, “O man, I am not.”
59. And after the interval of about one hour had passed, someone else affirmed it, saying: “Truly, this one also was with him. For he is also a Galilean.”
60. And Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And at once, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61. And the Lord turned around and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord that he had said: “For before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
62. And going out, Peter wept bitterly.
63. And the men who were holding him ridiculed him and beat him.
64. And they blindfolded him and repeatedly struck his face. And they questioned him, saying: “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”
65. And blaspheming in many other ways, they spoke against him.
66. And when it was daytime, the elders of the people, and the leaders of the priests, and the scribes convened. And they led him into their council, saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”
67. And he said to them: “If I tell you, you will not believe me.
68. And if I also question you, you will not answer me. Neither will you release me.
69. But from this time, the Son of man will be sitting at the right hand of the power of God.”
70. Then they all said, “So you are the Son of God?” And he said. “You are saying that I am.”
71. And they said: “Why do we still require testimony? For we have heard it ourselves, from his own mouth.”

Luke 23
1. And the entire multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.
2. Then they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this one subverting our nation, and prohibiting giving tribute to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ the king.”
3. And Pilate questioned him, saying: “You are the king of the Jews?” But in response, he said: “You are saying it.”
4. Then Pilate said to the leaders of the priests and to the crowds, “I find no case against this man.”
5. But they continued more intensely, saying: “He has stirred up the people, teaching throughout all of Judea, beginning from Galilee, even to this place.”
6. But Pilate, upon hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee.
7. And when he realized that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was himself also at Jerusalem in those days.
8. Then Herod, upon seeing Jesus, was very glad. For he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard so many things about him, and he was hoping to see some kind of sign wrought by him.
9. Then he questioned him with many words. But he gave him no response at all.
10. And the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, stood firm in persistently accusing him.
11. Then Herod, with his soldiers, scorned him. And he ridiculed him, clothing him in a white garment. And he sent him back to Pilate.
12. And Herod and Pilate became friends on that day. For previously they were enemies to one another.
13. And Pilate, calling together the leaders of the priests, and the magistrates, and the people,
14. said to them: “You have brought before me this man, as one who disturbs the people. And behold, having questioned him before you, I find no case against this man, in those things about which you accuse him.
15. And neither did Herod. For I sent you all to him, and behold, nothing deserving of death was recorded about him.
16. Therefore, I will chastise him and release him.”
17. Now he was required to release one person for them on the feast day.
18. But the entire crowd exclaimed together, saying: “Take this one, and release to us Barabbas!”
19. Now he had been cast into prison because of a certain sedition that occurred in the city and for murder.
20. Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus.
21. But they shouted in response, saying: “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22. Then he said to them a third time: “Why? What evil has he done? I find no case against him for death. Therefore, I will chastise him and release him.”
23. But they persisted, with loud voices, in demanding that he be crucified. And their voices increased in intensity.
24. And so Pilate issued a judgment granting their petition.
25. Then he released for them the one who had been cast into prison for murder and sedition, whom they were requesting. Yet truly, Jesus he handed over to their will.
26. And as they were leading him away, they apprehended a certain one, Simon of Cyrene, as he was returning from the countryside. And they imposed the cross on him to carry after Jesus.
27. Then a great crowd of people followed him, with women who were mourning and lamenting him.
28. But Jesus, turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep over me. Instead, weep over yourselves and over your children.
29. For behold, the days will arrive in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not nursed.’
30. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall over us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’
31. For if they do these things with green wood, what will be done with the dry?”
32. Now they also led out two other criminals with him, in order to execute them.
33. And when they arrived at the place that is called Calvary, they crucified him there, with the robbers, one to the right and the other to the left.
34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.” And truly, dividing his garments, they cast lots.
35. And people were standing near, watching. And the leaders among them derided him, saying: “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this one is the Christ, the elect of God.”
36. And the soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him and offering him vinegar,
37. and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38. Now there was also an inscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39. And one of those robbers who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.”
40. But the other responded by rebuking him, saying: “Do you have no fear of God, since you are under the same condemnation?
41. And indeed, it is just for us. For we are receiving what our deeds deserve. But truly, this one has done nothing wrong.”
42. And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43. And Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in Paradise.”
44. Now it was nearly the sixth hour, and a darkness occurred over the entire earth, until the ninth hour.
45. And the sun was obscured. And the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.
46. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And upon saying this, he expired.
47. Now, the centurion, seeing what had happened, glorified God, saying, “Truly, this man was the Just One.”
48. And the entire crowd of those who came together to see this spectacle also saw what had happened, and they returned, striking their breasts.
49. Now all those who knew him, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, watching these things.
50. And behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a councilman, a good and just man,
51. (for he had not consented to their decision or their actions). He was from Arimathea, a city of Judea. And he was himself also anticipating the kingdom of God.
52. This man approached Pilate and petitioned for the body of Jesus.
53. And taking him down, he wrapped him in a fine linen cloth, and he placed him in a tomb hewn from rock, in which no one had ever been placed.
54. And it was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.
55. Now the women who had come with him from Galilee, by following, saw the tomb and the manner in which his body was placed.
56. And upon returning, they prepared aromatic spices and ointments. But on the Sabbath, indeed, they rested, according to the commandment.