The Passion NarrativesThe suffering and death of Jesus

When do we begin?

During the season of Lent: season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter

We begin to prepare for our conversion away from sin in order to be born into new life

Holy Week: begins with Palm Sunday Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Passover feast

Triduum: Three Holy Days: holiest days of our liturgical year that remember the passion, death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus

Conspiracy Against Jesus

High priest, chief elders (Sanhedrin, Caiaphas) want Jesus to be convicted out of fear they may lose their power by the hands of the Roman Empire Fearful that the Romans would see Jesus

as the leader of a revolt Judas agrees to bring the chief elders

soldiers to Jesus in exchange for 30 silver pieces

Holy Thursday

In preparation for the Passover feast, Jesus tells his disciples to go and prepare the guest room for The Last Supper (The Lord’s Supper)

At the Passover meal, Jesus proclaims that he will be betrayed (Judas Iscariot) and denied three times before morning (Peter)

It is at the Passover meal that Jesus gives instructions of how we are to participate in his loving memory by taking of the bread (body) and wine (blood) our Eucharist

Holy Thursday (cont.)

Washing the Disciples Feet: Peter is confused why Jesus would wash

his feet Jesus answers “I have given you a model

to follow, so that I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, Amen I say to you, no slave is greater than the one who sent him.”

The New Commandment=law of love “love one another…as I have loved you, so you also should love one another”

Jesus’ Arrest and Trial Before Sanhedrin After the Passover meal, Jesus and his

disciples leave for Mount Olives where Jesus takes a moment to pray (Agony in the Garden) in Gethsemane

Prays to Abba=Father None of the disciples stay awake with

Jesus Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss

(designated signal for the crowd to arrest Jesus)

Peter cuts off the servant’s ear Disciples flee from the scene after Jesus is

taken away

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin Many came forward to give false testimony

against Jesus Jesus said he would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days

Peter sat at a distance watching the trial but did not come forward but did deny him three times before morning

It was finally when asked if Jesus was the Messiah he answered “I am” This was deemed blasphemy: hatred or defiance

against God Soon after Judas hangs himself out of regret

for his betrayal

Jesus before Pilate

The Sanhedrin could not carry out the punishment for blasphemy (crucifixion) so they brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate to have him convicted of treason: insubordination and claiming to be a king

Pontius Pilate knew that the high priest and chief elders were jealous of Jesus and did not find Jesus guilty Sent Jesus to King Herod because of his

jurisdiction since Jesus is a Galilean

Jesus before Herod

King Herod did not convict Jesus but returned with him to Pontius Pilate

In custom of the Passover season, Pilate told the crowd he would release a prisoner (Barabbas or Jesus) the crowd chose Barabbas, a murderer

Pilate has Jesus scourged 39 times, still not found guilty the high priests continued stating Jesus needed to be crucified

When Pilate asked Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, he replied “My kingdom is not of this world” The two found Jesus guilty of treason

Jesus’ Crucifixion

Simon a Cyrenian helped Jesus carry his cross to Golgotha (Place of the Skull)

The women (Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Joseph) were present and Jesus entrusted his mother to the disciple John

9 am Jesus was crucified From noon to 3pm darkness came over

the land and 3pm is the reported time of Jesus’ death alongside two criminals

Jesus’ Burial

Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body for burial because it was near the Sabbath

Wrapped Jesus in clean linen and laid in the tomb

Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph remained facing the tomb

A guard was sent to protect the tomb