神父講道 – 基督苦難主日 (聖枝主日) (2020年4月5日)
瑪竇所載主耶穌基督的受難始末 26:14-27:66
（我把耶穌交給你們，你們願意給我什麼？）
敘述：那時候，那十二人之一，名叫猶達斯依斯加略的，去見司祭長，說：
猶達斯：「我把耶穌交給你們，你們願意給我什麼？」
敘述：他們約定給他三十塊銀錢。從此，猶達斯便尋找機會，要把耶穌交出。
（你願意我們在那裡，給你預備逾越節晚餐？）
敘述：無酵節的第一天，門徒前來對耶穌說：
門徒：「你願意我們在那裡，給你預備逾越節晚餐？」
敘述：耶穌說：
耶穌：「你們進城去見某人，對他說：師父說：我的時候近了，我要與我的門徒，在你那裡，舉行逾越節。」
敘述：門徒就照耶穌吩咐他們的，做了，預備了逾越節晚餐。
（你們中有一個人，要出賣我。）
敘述：到了晚上，耶穌與十二門徒吃飯。他們正吃晚餐的時候，耶穌說：
耶穌：「我實在告訴你們：你們中有一個人，要出賣我。」
敘述：門徒非常憂悶，開始各自對耶穌說：
門徒：「主，難道是我嗎？」
敘述：耶穌回答說：
耶穌：「那同我一起把手蘸在盤子裡的人，要出賣我。人子固然要按指著他所寫的而去，但是出賣人子的那人，卻是有禍的！那人若沒有生，為他更好。」
敘述：那要出賣耶穌的猶達斯，也開口問耶穌說：
猶達斯：「辣彼，難道是我嗎？」
敘述：耶穌對他說：
耶穌：「你說的是。」
（這是我的身體，這是我的血。）
敘述：他們正吃晚餐的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝福了，擘開，遞給門徒說：
耶穌：「你們拿去吃吧！這是我的身體。」
敘述：然後，耶穌又拿起杯來，祝謝了，遞給他們說：
耶穌：「你們都由這杯喝吧！因為這是我的血，盟約的血，為大眾傾流，以赦免罪過。
「我告訴你們：從今以後，我不再喝這葡萄汁了，直到在我父的國裡那一天，與你們同喝新酒。」
敘述：他們唱了聖詠，就出來，到橄欖山去。
（我要打擊牧人，羊群就四散。）
敘述：那時，耶穌對門徒說：
耶穌：「今夜，你們都要為我的原故跌倒，因為經上記載：
『我要打擊牧人，羊群就要四散。』但是，我復活後，要比你們先到加里肋亞。」
敘述：伯多祿卻回答耶穌說：
伯多祿：「即使眾人都為你的原故跌倒，我決不會跌倒。」
敘述：耶穌對他說：
耶穌：「我實在告訴你：今夜雞叫以前，你要三次不認我。」
敘述：伯多祿對耶穌說：
伯多祿：「即使我必須同你一起受死，我也決不會不認你。」
敘述：眾門徒也都這樣說了。
（耶穌開始憂悶恐怖起來）
敘述：隨後，耶穌同門徒，來到一個名叫革責瑪尼的莊園，便對門徒說：
耶穌：「你們坐在這裡，等我到那邊去祈禱。」
敘述：耶穌於是帶了伯多祿和載伯德的兩個兒子，一同前去；耶穌開始憂悶恐怖起來，對他們說：
耶穌：「我的心靈憂悶得要死；你們留在這裡，同我一起醒寤吧！」
敘述：耶穌稍往前行，就俯首至地祈禱，說：
耶穌：「我父！如果可能，就免去我這杯吧！但不要照我，而要照你所願意的。」
敘述：耶穌來到門徒那裡，見他們睡著了，便對伯多祿說：
耶穌：「你們竟不能同我醒寤一個時辰嗎？醒寤祈禱吧！免陷於誘惑；心神固然切願，但肉體卻軟弱。」
敘述：耶穌第二次再去祈禱，說：
耶穌：「我父！如果不能免去這杯，非要我喝不可，就成就你的意願吧！」
敘述：耶穌又回來，見門徒仍然睡著，因為他們的眼睛十分沉重。耶穌再離開他們，第三次去祈禱，又說了同樣的話。然後，回到門徒那裡，對他們說：
耶穌：「你們睡下去吧！休息吧！看，時候到了，人子就要被交於罪人手裡。起來，我們去吧！看，那出賣我的，已經來到了。」
（他們下手，捉住了耶穌。）
敘述：耶穌還在說話的時候，看！那十二人之一的猶達斯來到；同他一起的，還有許多帶著刀劍棍棒的群眾，是由司祭長和民間長老派來的。那出賣耶穌的，給了他們一個暗號，說：
猶達斯：「我口親誰，誰就是；你們捉住他。」
敘述：猶達斯一來到耶穌面前，就說：
猶達斯：「辣彼，你好！」
敘述：猶達斯就口親了耶穌。耶穌卻對他說：
耶穌：「朋友，你來做的事，就做吧！」
敘述：於是，群眾上前，向耶穌下手，捉住了他。
有同耶穌在一起的一個人，伸手拔出自己的劍，砍了大司祭的僕人一劍，削去了他的一個耳朵。
耶穌於是對他說：
耶穌：「收回你的劍，因為凡動劍的，必死於劍下。你想我不能要求我父，即刻給我調動十二軍以上的天使嗎？如果這樣，怎能應驗經上所載，必須這樣發生的事呢？」
敘述：在那時，耶穌對群眾說：
耶穌：「你們帶著刀劍棍棒，出來捉拿我，如同對付強盜。我天天坐在聖殿裡施教，你們卻沒有捉拿我。」
敘述：這一切都發生了，是為應驗先知所記載的。
門徒於是都撇下耶穌，逃跑了。
（你們將要看見人子坐在大能者的右邊）
敘述：那些捉住耶穌的人，將耶穌帶到大司祭蓋法前；經師和長老已聚集在那裡。
伯多祿遠遠跟著耶穌，直到大司祭的庭院。伯多祿也進入裡面，坐在差役當中，觀看結局。
司祭長和全公議會，捏造相反耶穌的假證據，要把他處死。雖然，有許多假見證出庭，但沒有找出什麼。
最後，有兩個人前來說：
兩人：「這人曾經說過：我能拆毀天主的聖殿，在三天內把它重建起來。」
敘述：大司祭就站起來，對耶穌說：
大司祭：「這些人作證反對你的事，你什麼也不回答嗎？」
敘述：耶穌卻默不出聲。於是，大司祭對他說：
大司祭：「我因生活的天主起誓，命你告訴我們：你是不是默西亞，天主之子？」
敘述：耶穌對大司祭說：
耶穌：「你說的是。並且，我告訴你們：從此你們將要看見人子，坐在大能者的右邊，乘著天上的雲彩降來。」
敘述：大司祭於是撕裂自己的衣服，說：
大司祭：「他說了褻瀆的話。還需要什麼見證嗎？你們剛才聽到了這褻瀆的話，你們以為該怎樣辦？」
敘述：他們回答說：
群眾：「他該死。」
敘述：眾人於是向耶穌臉上吐唾沫，用拳頭打他；另有一些人，也用巴掌打他，說：
群眾：「默西亞，你猜猜是誰打你？」
（雞叫以前，你要三次不認我。）
敘述：伯多祿在外面庭院，坐著。
有一個使女來到他面前，說：
使女：「你也是同那加里肋亞人耶穌一起的。」
敘述：伯多祿當著眾人否認說：
伯多祿：「我不知道你說的是什麼。」
敘述：伯多祿出去，到了門廊，另有一個使女看見他，就對那裡的人說：
使女：「這人是同那納匝肋人耶穌一起的。」
敘述：伯多祿又發誓否認說：
伯多祿：「我不認識這個人。」
敘述：過了一會，站在那裡的人，前來對伯多祿說：
群眾：「的確，你也是他們中的一個，因為你的口音把你暴露出來了。」
敘述：伯多祿就開始詛咒發誓說：
伯多祿：「我不認識這個人。」
敘述：立刻，雞就叫了。伯多祿便想起耶穌所說的話：「雞叫以前，你要三次不認我。」
伯多祿一到了外面，就傷心痛哭起來。
（解送給總督比拉多）
敘述：到了早晨，眾司祭長和民間長老，就決議陷害耶穌，要把他處死，於是把他捆綁了，解送給總督比拉多。
（這是血價，不可放入獻儀箱內。）
敘述：這時，那出賣耶穌的猶達斯，見耶穌已被判決，就後悔了，要把那三十塊銀錢，退還給司祭長和長老，說：
猶達斯：「我犯了罪，出賣了無辜者的血！」
敘述：他們卻說：
群眾：「這與我們何干？是你自己的事！」
敘述：於是，猶達斯把那些銀錢，扔在聖所裡，就走出去，上吊死了。
司祭長拿了那些銀錢，說：
司祭長：「這是血價，不可放入獻儀箱內。」
敘述：他們商議後，就用那銀錢，買了陶工的田，作為埋葬外鄉人之用。為此，直到今日，仍稱那塊田為「血田」。
這就應驗了耶肋米亞先知所說的話：「他們拿了三十塊銀錢，即以色列子民為被賣的人，所估定的價錢，用這錢，買了陶工的那塊田，正如上主吩咐我的。」
（你是猶太人的君王嗎）
敘述：耶穌站在總督面前，總督便審問他說：
比拉多：「你是猶太人的君王嗎？」
敘述：耶穌回答說：
耶穌：「你說的是。」
敘述：當司祭長和長老控告耶穌時，耶穌什麼也不回答。於是比拉多對耶穌說：
比拉多：「你沒有聽見，他們提出多少證據，來控告你嗎？」
敘述：耶穌連一句話，也沒有回答，以致總督大為驚異。
每逢節日，總督慣常給民眾，釋放一個他們願意釋放的囚犯。那時，正有一個出名的囚犯，名叫巴辣巴。
敘述：當群眾聚集一起時，比拉多對他們說：
比拉多：「你們願意我給你們釋放那一個？巴辣巴，或是那稱為默西亞的耶穌？」
敘述：原來比拉多知道，他們是由於嫉妒，才把耶穌解送來的。
比拉多正坐堂時，他的妻子，派人到他面前說：
來人：「你千萬不要干涉那義人的事，因為我為他，今天在夢中，受了許多苦。」
敘述：司祭長和長老，卻說服了民眾，叫他們要求巴辣巴，而除掉耶穌。
總督又向他們說：
比拉多：「這兩個人中，你們願意我給你們釋放那一個？」
敘述：民眾說：
群眾：「巴辣巴。」
敘述：比拉多對他們說：
比拉多：「那麼，對於那稱為默西亞的耶穌，我該怎麼辦？」
敘述：眾人回答說：
群眾：「該釘他在十字架上。」
敘述：總督又問：
比拉多：「他究竟做了什麼惡事？」
敘述：他們越發喊說：
群眾：「該釘死他在十字架上。」
敘述：比拉多見事情毫無進展，反倒更為混亂，就拿水，當著民眾洗手，說：
比拉多：「對這義人的血，我是無罪的；你們自己負責吧！」
敘述：全體百姓回答說：
群眾：「他的血，歸在我們和我們的子孫身上！」
敘述：於是，比拉多給他們釋放了巴辣巴；把耶穌鞭打了以後，交給人，釘在十字架上。
（猶太人的君王，萬歲！）
敘述：那時，總督的兵士，把耶穌帶到總督府內，召集了全隊，圍著耶穌，脫去了他的衣服，給他披上一件紫紅色的外氅；又用荊棘，編了一個茨冠，戴在他頭上；拿一根蘆葦，放在他右手裡；然後跪在他面前，戲弄他說：
群眾：「猶太人的君王，萬歲！」
敘述：然後，兵士向耶穌吐唾沫，拿起蘆葦，來敲他的頭。
戲弄完了，就給他脫去外氅，又給他穿上他自己的衣服，帶他去釘在十字架上。
（與耶穌一起，被釘在十字架上，還有兩個強盜。）
敘述：他們出來時，遇見一個基勒乃人，名叫西滿，就強迫他背耶穌的十字架。
到了一個名叫哥耳哥達的地方，即稱為「髑髏」的地方，他們就拿苦艾調和的酒，給耶穌喝；耶穌只嘗了一嘗，便不願意喝。
他們把耶穌釘在十字架上，以後，就拈鬮，分了耶穌的衣服；然後坐在那裡，看守他。
在耶穌的頭上，放了他的罪狀牌，寫著：「這是耶穌，猶太人的君王。」
當時，與耶穌一起，被釘在十字架上的，還有兩個強盜：一個在右邊，一個在左邊。
（如果你是天主子，從十字架上下來吧！）
敘述：路過的人，都搖頭辱罵耶穌說：
群眾：「你這拆毀聖殿，而三日內重建起來的，救你自己吧！如果你是天主子，從十字架上下來吧！」
敘述：司祭長和經師與長老，也同樣戲弄耶穌，說：
群眾：「他救了別人，卻不能救自己；他既是以色列君王，現在從十字架上下來吧！我們就信他。他信賴天主；如果天主喜歡他，現在就該救他，因為他說過：我是天主子。」
敘述：同耶穌一起，被釘在十字架上的強盜，也這樣譏笑他。
（厄里、厄里、肋瑪撒巴黑塔尼！）
敘述：從第六時辰起，直到第九時辰，遍地都黑暗了。約莫第九時辰，耶穌大聲呼喊說：
耶穌：「厄里、厄里，肋瑪撒巴黑塔尼！」
敘述：就是說：
耶穌：「我的天主，我的天主！你為什麼捨棄了我？」
敘述：站在那裡的人中，有幾個聽見了，就說：
群眾：「這人呼喚厄里亞呢！」
敘述：他們中有一個人，立即跑去，拿了海綿，浸滿了醋，綁在蘆葦上，遞給耶穌喝。其餘的人卻說：
群眾：「等一等，我們看，是否厄里亞來救他！」
敘述：耶穌又大喊一聲，遂交付了靈魂。
跪下默禱片刻
敘述：看，聖所的帳幔，從上到下，分裂為二，大地震動，巖石崩裂，墳墓自開。許多長眠的聖者的身體，復活了；在耶穌復活後，他們由墳墓出來，進入聖城，顯現給許多人。
百夫長和同他一起看守耶穌的人，一見地動和所發生的事，就非常害怕，說：
群眾：「這人真是天主子！」
敘述：有許多婦女在那裡，從遠處觀望；她們從加里肋亞，就跟隨了耶穌，為服事他。其中有瑪利亞瑪達肋納，雅各伯和若瑟的母親瑪利亞，與載伯德兒子的母親。
（若瑟把耶穌的遺體，安放在自己的新墓穴裡。）
敘述：到了傍晚，來了一個阿黎瑪特雅的富翁，名叫若瑟；他也是耶穌的門徒。這人去見比拉多，請求領取耶穌的遺體；比拉多就下令交給他。
若瑟領了耶穌的遺體，就用潔白的殮布，將它包好，安放在他為自己在巖石間鑿成的新墓穴裡；並把一塊大石頭，滾到墓口，塞住墓門，就走了。
那裡還有瑪利亞瑪達肋納，及另外一個瑪利亞，面對墳墓，坐著。
（你們可帶一隊衛兵，盡你們所能，好好看守。）
敘述：第二天，即預備日以後的那天，司祭長和法利塞人，一同來見比拉多，說：
群眾：「大人，我們記得那個騙子活著的時候，曾說過：三天以後，我要復活。為此，請你下令，把守墳墓，直到第三天；怕他的門徒來了，把他偷去，而對百姓說：他從死人中復活了。那最後的騙局，就比先前的，更壞了！」
敘述：比拉多對他們說：
比拉多：「你們可帶一隊衛兵，盡你們所能，好好看守。」
敘述：司祭長和法利塞人就去，在石上加上封條，派駐衛兵，把守墳墓。
—上主的話。
(Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 26:14-27:66
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.'” The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.'” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?”
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.
When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.” After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites, and they paid it out for the potter’s field just as the Lord had commanded me.
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
And when they came to a place called Golgotha —which means Place of the Skull —, they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
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!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.
The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, ‘After three days I will be raised up.’ Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ This last imposture would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go, secure it as best you can.” So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
Homily
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