Tag Archives: Passion of the Lord

Good Friday: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you; because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Catholic Inspiration

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We recall the Passion of the Lord in John’s Gospel, giving thanks to God for the saving work of Christ and seeking the grace to face the agonies and sacrifices of our lives.

Readings – Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (#40)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: It is better that one man should die instead of the people. Catholic Inspiration

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Following the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, the high priest Caiaphas prophesizes that “it is better that one man should die instead of the people” and reveals how the Lord saves us through his Passion and death on the Cross.

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent (#256)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, pray for us!


Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday

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Let’s examine some of the themes in the Mass readings for Palm Sunday.

1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7

  • The prophet speaks to the weary rousing words with the help of God.
  • He is not disgraced, even in the face of attack and mockery.

Psalm – 22:8-9,17-20,23-24

  • “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
  • READ THIS PSALM in light of the Passion of Jesus Christ!

2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11

  • Jesus “emptied himself” by taking on our human form and being crucified for our sake.
  • Because of his obedience to the Father’s will, his name is exalted above all names, and before him every knee shall bend – in heaven, on earth, and under the earth – proclaiming that he is Lord.

Gospel – Mark 14:1-15:47

  • Take time this week to read and pray over Mark’s account of the Passion of the Lord.
  • May the death of Jesus help us to discern the immensity of God’s love for us all.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (#37,#38)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

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We stand before the Cross of Christ and acknowledge the darkness in our hearts. This is what inspired the love of God the Father to send his Son, to shine with heavenly light upon our world and free us from our sins.

Scripture Readings – Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Remembering our story, renewing our faith. Catholic Inspiration

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Every year we hear God’s great love story when we recall the Passion of Jesus. Rather than fall into the trap of forgetfulness, we remember what Christ has done for us so that we might be renewed to offer our lives for the Lord.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday

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As we journey into the heart of Holy Week, let’s take a look at some of the key themes in our readings for Palm Sunday.

1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7

  • Called by God, the prophet speaks the truth in the face of oppression.
  • God gives strength to face all trials and remain true in faith.

Psalm – 22:8-9,17-20,23-24

  • “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
  • Grab your Bible and read this entire Psalm…then look at the Cross of Jesus Christ!

2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11

  • Jesus “empties himself” and takes on our human form, even facing death on a cross.
  • God glorifies Christ for his saving work, and every knee shall bend as all will acclaim Jesus Christ is Lord!

Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56

  • This is our great love story; Christ dies for us…even in our worst sins.
  • Read this passage. Pray and reflect on what the Lord has done.
  • If you find it helpful, watch one of the many films which proclaim the Passion of the Lord.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Good Friday: For God so loved the world… Catholic Inspiration

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The Passion of the Lord reveals God’s love for the world. May this day drive us to our knees as we accept the gift of Christ and share His love with one another.

Mass Readings – Good Friday

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Holy Week

Holy Week

Pastoral Note: This post was originally given on April 12, 2014.  I share it once again in the hope that all of us will enter more fully into the gift of this sacred time.  Fr. Andrew

Study:  Recall a time in your life when you experienced death and new life.  Where did you find the strength?  Who helped you through this time?

Pray:  Spend some time reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus this week.  Read Mark 14-16; Matthew 26-28; Luke 22-24; and John 18-21.  Take in as many prayer opportunities as possible in your parish.

Serve:  Who in your life is dealing with life and death issues right now?  How might you be present to them to offer help, comfort, or strength?

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We enter into the heart of the Christian mystery: Holy Week offers us a time to pause, reflect, and pray as the Church ponders on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This mystery, often called the Paschal Mystery, recalls us to the saving work of the Lord.  His death frees of from the burdens of sin and death, and his resurrection opens for us the path to eternal life.  This mystery is profoundly experienced over the Triduum – the 3 Great Days:

  • Holy Thursday – the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
  • Good Friday – the Passion of the Christ
  • Easter (Vigil/Day) – the Resurrection of the Lord

On Holy Thursday we find ourselves in Jerusalem, eating with the disciples at the Lord’s Supper and feeling awkward as he washes their feet – wondering how we would react if he did that for us.  We might identify with Peter or Judas – especially when we consider the times we have willingly betrayed or turned our back on the Lord.

On Good Friday we experience the physical pain, emotional abandonment, and personal humiliation on the path to Calvary (also called Golgotha or Skull Place) and look on with horror at the cruel death of Jesus.  We might also consider the times we have helped others – as Simon did when he was forced to carry the Cross of Christ.    And then we stand in profound sorrow with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, helpless as the innocent suffer injustice.

On Easter we wait in vigil and rise early in the morning with Mary Magdalen, only to find to our wonder and joy that the tomb is empty:  Christ is alive!  Our world, like that of the apostles, is changed forever as we experience new hope and life.

A word to the wise – we get out of Holy Week what we put into it.  Here are some simple ways for an incredible experience.

  • Make church services a top priority – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (Vigil or Day).
  • Take time to read and reflect on the scriptures (see at the top under “Pray”).
  • Make Holy Thursday an opportunity to offer a special act of service or kindness to another.
  • Make Good Friday fasting extra special with a gift to a particular charity that helps the poor.
  • Make Easter a time of gratitude – take a quiet moment to count our blessings and thank the Lord.
  • Find some time throughout this week to tell the people in our lives how much we love them.

May this be a time for all of us to grow closer to the Lord and one another.

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Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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Palm Sunday: The sacrificial offering of Christ’s Passion. Catholic Inspiration

Caraviggio, The Entombment of Christ, 1604, Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City. (My photo)

We read the Passion of the Lord every year to remember the Lord’s sacrificial offering for the salvation of the world. May our reflection inspire us to live the gift of our lives, bought by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Monday Conversation: Opening our hearts to the Passion of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration

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This Monday Conversation discusses the principal components of Mark and John’s Gospel account of the Passion, using the practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) to help us enter into this great story of God’s love for humanity.

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Catholic Inspiration Archives