The Weekly Faith To Go Podcast
Making Sacred Space in Holy Week: Building a Home Altar In this time when church communities are not able to gather in their worship spaces together, it is especially important for us to create sacred spaces within our homes. Step 1: Find a Space Usually we would choose a space that is relatively quite and set apart. In this season of our communal life though, when many are streaming church at home or looking to create some grounding space in the midst of much chaos, we are going to build the altar in one of the main gathering areas of the house. If you stream your church's service on Sunday mornings, where do you watch it? Try building the altar around this space. Maybe the top of the cabinet under your television, or the surface where you place your computer or laptop to watch together as a family. If you don't stream a service, find a surface in a room where your family gathers regularly that could serve as this sacred space. Step 2: Build your Altar Starting today, and over the next three days, we are going to add things to the altar. Today put down a simple piece of cloth, red or purple would be appropriate for the season, but any color or patter will work. Then, you can add these items to the altar each day:
Sunday (today): add some leaves or palm branches (if available) from outside. Take a walk in the backyard or down the sidewalk and see what leaves or other plants catch your eye. Bring them back and arrange them on your altar. You could also color and cut out the palm from these Holy Week coloring pages or make your own out of green construction paper, green poster board, or painted/green cardboard.
Monday: add sacred art to the altar. This could be sacred images you have around the house or some that you create. Maybe draw a picture or find a photograph of an important person in your life or a family member that you are missing. It could even be a favorite saint!
Tuesday: add some flowers to the altar. These could be picked from outside or created as a craft project using paper, Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, or felt. Maybe a potted plant from around the house would work well.
Wednesday: today add some candles to your altar. Small tea lights will work, or whatever candles you have. Maybe you could even decorate them before placing them on the altar.
Step Three: Use Your Altar
Now your altar is all set. How might you use the altar over these first three days as a family? You could set a bowl on the altar with small strips of paper and whenever you have a prayer or thanksgiving to offer write it down and place it in the bowl. Maybe you could say a prayer together before meals standing in front of your altar. Remember, keep it simple. It's OK to take things off if it is getting cluttered or plants need to be replaced or you spill the glass of water you were just putting down for one second. The simpler and less cluttered the better.
Make sure to check out the Maundy Thursday resources to see what will happen next.
Palm Sunday at Home This service has options for inserting YouTube videos. You’ll find the first two after the reading of the Palm Gospel. You could sing along with the recordings, or process around your yard or room with branches. The first video is a recording of All Glory, Laud, and Honor, the traditional Palm Sunday hymn. The second video is a film of children processing and singing Jesus is Coming, Pave the Way with Branches. This is an easy song to learn and the procession shown is very charming. The third YouTube insertion is a filming of our own diocesan youth reading the Passion Gospel in parts, using Zoom. Palm Sunday at Home The Liturgy of the Palms
Leader: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. Leader: Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reader: A reading from Matthew. When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Leader: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the highest.
The Procession Leader: Let us go forth in peace. People: In the name of Christ. Amen.
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Jesus is Coming, Pave the Way with Branches
The Liturgy of the Passion
Leader: Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Passion According to Matthew Option 1: Read the Passion Gospel in parts
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew. NARRATOR: One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, JUDAS: "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" NARRATOR: They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, DISCIPLES: "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?" NARRATOR: He said, JESUS: "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" NARRATOR: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, JESUS: "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." NARRATOR: And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, DISCIPLES: "Surely not I, Lord?" NARRATOR: He answered, JESUS: "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." NARRATOR: Judas, who betrayed him, said, JUDAS: "Surely not I, Rabbi?" NARRATOR: He replied, JESUS: "You have said so." NARRATOR: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, JESUS: "Take, eat; this is my body." NARRATOR: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, JESUS: "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." NARRATOR: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, JESUS: "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, `I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." NARRATOR: Peter said to him, PETER: "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." NARRATOR: Jesus said to him, JESUS: "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." NARRATOR: Peter said to him, PETER: "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." NARRATOR: And so said all the disciples. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, JESUS: "Sit here while I go over there and pray." NARRATOR: He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, JESUS: "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." NARRATOR: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, JESUS: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." NARRATOR: Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, JESUS: "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." NARRATOR: Again he went away for the second time and prayed, JESUS: "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." NARRATOR: Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, JESUS: "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." NARRATOR: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, JUDAS: "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." NARRATOR: At once he came up to Jesus and said, JUDAS: "Greetings, Rabbi!" NARRATOR: and kissed him. Jesus said to him, JESUS: "Friend, do what you are here to do." NARRATOR: Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, JESUS: "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?" NARRATOR: At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, JESUS: "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." NARRATOR: Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, ACCUSERS: "This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'" NARRATOR: The high priest stood up and said, HIGH PRIEST: "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" NARRATOR: But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, HIGH PRIEST: "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." NARRATOR: Jesus said to him, JESUS: "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." NARRATOR: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, HIGH PRIEST: "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?" NARRATOR: They answered, CHIEF PRIESTS: "He deserves death." NARRATOR: Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, CHIEF PRIESTS: "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?" NARRATOR: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, SERVANT GIRL: "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." NARRATOR: But he denied it before all of them, saying, PETER: "I do not know what you are talking about." NARRATOR: When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, SERVANT GIRL: This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." NARRATOR: Again he denied it with an oath, PETER: "I do not know the man." NARRATOR: After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, BYSTANDER: Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." NARRATOR: Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, PETER: "I do not know the man!" NARRATOR: At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: JESUS: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." NARRATOR: And he went out and wept bitterly. When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, JUDAS: "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." NARRATOR: But they said, CHIEF PRIESTS: "What is that to us? See to it yourself." NARRATOR: Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, CHIEF PRIESTS: "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money." NARRATOR: After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter's field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me." Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, PILATE: "Are you the King of the Jews?" NARRATOR: Jesus said, JESUS: "You say so." NARRATOR: But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, PILATE: "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" NARRATOR: But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, PILATE: "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" NARRATOR: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, PILATE’S WIFE: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him." NARRATOR: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, PILATE: "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" NARRATOR: And they said, CONGREGATION: "Barabbas." NARRATOR: Pilate said to them, PILATE: "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" NARRATOR: All of them said, CONGREGATION: "Let him be crucified!" NARRATOR: Then he asked, PILATE: "Why, what evil has he done?" NARRATOR: But they shouted all the more, CONGREGATION: "Let him be crucified!" NARRATOR: So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, PILATE: "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." NARRATOR: Then the people as a whole answered, CONGREGATION: "His blood be on us and on our children!" NARRATOR: So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, SOLDIERS: "Hail, King of the Jews!" NARRATOR: They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (At the mention of Golgotha, the congregation should stand and remain standing for the remainder of the reading.) NARRATOR: As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, BYSTANDERS: "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." NARRATOR: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, CHIEF PRIESTS: "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, `I am God's Son.'" NARRATOR: The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, JESUS: "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" NARRATOR: that is, JESUS: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" NARRATOR: When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, BYSTANDERS: "This man is calling for Elijah." NARRATOR: At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, BYSTANDERS: "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." NARRATOR: Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, CENTURION: "Truly this man was God's Son! NARRATOR: Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for 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 also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, CHIEF PRIESTS: "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, `After three days I will rise again.' Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first." NARRATOR: Pilate said to them, PILATE: "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." NARRATOR: So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. Option 2: One Person Reads the Passion
Matthew 26:14- 27:66
One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the
elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for 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 also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Option 3: Watch The Diocesan Youth Coalition’s reading of the Passion Gospel
(Passion Gospel readers from the Diocesan Youth Coalition in order of appearance:
Narrator: Christ Church Coronado, Judas: St. Hugh's Idyllwild, Disciples: St. Thomas Temecula, Jesus: St. Luke's North Park, Peter: St. Bartholomew's Poway, Accuser: St. Paul's Cathedral, High Priest: St. Margaret's Palm Desert, Chief Priests: St. Dunstan's, Servant Girl: St. Alban's El Cajon, Bystanders: St. Thomas Temecula, Pilate: St. Peter's Del Mar, Pilate's Wife: St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea, Pacific Beach, Congregation: St. Albans, St., Paul's Cathedral, St. Matthew's National City, Soldiers: St. Matthew's National City, Centurion: St. John's Indio)
The Sending Out
Leader: Let us pray together a Prayer of Spiritual Communion.
My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present
in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
I love you above all things, and long for you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Leader: Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer over the People
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given in to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Domingo de Ramos en Casa
Este servicio tiene algunas opciones para insertar videos de YouTube. Encontrará los dos primeros después de la lectura del Evangelio del Domingo de Ramos. Puede cantar junto con las grabaciones y/o hacer una procesión con ramos alrededor de su patio o dentro de su casa. El primer video es un himno alegórico al Domingo de Ramos. El segundo video es una alabanza que se puede utilizar como gradual. La tercera inserción de YouTube es una filmación de nuestra propia grupo de jóvenes diocesano que leen el Evangelio de la Pasión en partes, usando Zoom. Liturgia de las Palmas Líder: Bendito el Rey que viene en nombre del Señor. Pueblo: Paz en el cielo y gloria en las alturas. Líder: Oremos. Asístenos misericordiosamente con tu ayuda, Señor Dios de nuestra salvación, para que entremos con júbilo a la contemplación de aquellos hechos poderosos, por medio de los cuales nos has concedido vida e inmortalidad; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén. Líder: Una lectura del Evangelio de Mateo 21:1-11 Cuando ya estaban cerca de Jerusalén y habían llegado a Betfagé, al Monte de los Olivos, Jesús envió a dos de sus discípulos, diciéndoles: —Vayan a la aldea que está enfrente. Allí encontrarán una burra atada, y un burrito con ella. Desátenla y tráiganmelos. Y si alguien les dice algo, díganle que el Señor los necesita y que en seguida los devolverá. Esto sucedió para que se cumpliera lo que dijo el profeta, cuando escribió: «Digan a la ciudad de Sión: “Mira, tu Rey viene a ti, humilde, montado en un burro, en un burrito, cría de una bestia de carga.”» Los discípulos fueron e hicieron lo que Jesús les había mandado. Llevaron la burra y su cría, echaron sus capas encima de ellos, y Jesús montó. Había mucha gente. Unos tendían sus capas por el camino, y otros tendían ramas que cortaban de los árboles. Y tanto los que iban delante como los que iban detrás, gritaban: —¡Hosana al Hijo del rey David! ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hosana en las alturas! Cuando Jesús entró en Jerusalén, toda la ciudad se alborotó, y muchos preguntaban: —¿Quién es éste? Y la gente contestaba: —Es el profeta Jesús, el de Nazaret de Galilea. Líder: El Señor sea con ustedes. Pueblo: Y con tu espíritu. Líder: Demos gracias a Dios nuestro Señor. Pueblo: Es justo darle gracias y alabanza. Líder: Es justo alabarte, Dios omnipotente, por los hechos de amor, mediante los cuales nos has redimido por tu Hijo Jesucristo nuestro Señor. En este día entró triunfalmente en la santa ciudad de Jerusalén, y fue proclamado Rey de reyes por los que extendieron sus mantos y tendieron ramas de palmera por el camino. Haz que estos ramos sean para nosotros signo de su victoria, y concede que quienes los llevamos en su nombre le aclamemos siempre como nuestro Rey y le sigamos por el camino que conduce a la vida eterna; quien vive y reina en gloria contigo y el Espíritu Santo, ahora y por siempre. Amén. Líder: Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor. Pueblo: Hosanna en las alturas. La Procesión https://youtu.be/KujfHvCChuM Líde: Salgamos en paz. Pueblo: En nombre de Cristo. Amén Liturgia de la Pasion Líder: Oremos. Dios omnipotente y eterno, en tu tierno amor hacia el género humano, enviaste a tu Hijo nuestro Salvador Jesucristo para asumir nuestra naturaleza, y padecer muerte en la cruz, mostrándonos ejemplo de su gran humildad: Concédenos, en tu misericordia, que caminemos por el sendero de su padecimiento y participemos también en su resurrección; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, que vive y reina contigo y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. Himno: https://youtu.be/n3GVPYCfWL8 La Pasión de nuestro Señor Jesucristo según San Mateo [Una filmación de nuestra propia grupo de jóvenes diocesano que leen el Evangelio de la Pasión en partes, usando Zoom.
Mateo 26:14-27:66 Dios Habla Hoy (DHH) Uno de los doce discípulos, el que se llamaba Judas Iscariote, fue a ver a los jefes de los sacerdotes y les dijo: —¿Cuánto me quieren dar, y yo les entrego a Jesús? Ellos le pagaron treinta monedas de plata. Y desde entonces Judas anduvo buscando el momento más oportuno para entregarles a Jesús. El primer día de la fiesta en que se comía el pan sin levadura, los discípulos se acercaron a Jesús y le preguntaron: —¿Dónde quieres que te preparemos la cena de Pascua? Él les contestó: —Vayan a la ciudad, a casa de Fulano, y díganle: “El Maestro dice: Mi hora está cerca, y voy a tu casa a celebrar la Pascua con mis discípulos.” Los discípulos hicieron como Jesús les había mandado, y prepararon la cena de Pascua. Cuando llegó la noche, Jesús estaba a la mesa con los doce discípulos; y mientras comían, les dijo: —Les aseguro que uno de ustedes me va a traicionar. Ellos se pusieron muy tristes, y comenzaron a preguntarle uno tras otro: —Señor, ¿acaso seré yo? Jesús les contestó: —Uno que moja el pan en el mismo plato que yo, va a traicionarme. El Hijo del hombre ha de recorrer el camino que dicen las Escrituras; pero ¡ay de aquel que lo traiciona! Hubiera sido mejor para él no haber nacido. Entonces Judas, el que lo estaba traicionando, le preguntó: —Maestro, ¿acaso seré yo? —Tú lo has dicho —contestó Jesús. Mientras comían, Jesús tomó en sus manos el pan y, habiendo dado gracias a Dios, lo partió y se lo dio a los discípulos, diciendo: —Tomen y coman, esto es mi cuerpo. Luego tomó en sus manos una copa y, habiendo dado gracias a Dios, se la pasó a ellos, diciendo: —Beban todos ustedes de esta copa, porque esto es mi sangre, con la que se confirma la alianza, sangre que es derramada en favor de muchos para perdón de sus pecados. Pero les digo que no volveré a beber de este producto de la vid, hasta el día en que beba con ustedes el vino nuevo en el reino de mi Padre. Después de cantar los salmos, se fueron al Monte de los Olivos. Y Jesús les dijo: —Todos ustedes van a perder su fe en mí esta noche. Así lo dicen las Escrituras: “Mataré al pastor, y las ovejas se dispersarán.” Pero cuando yo resucite, los volveré a reunir en Galilea. Pedro le contestó: —Aunque todos pierdan su fe en ti, yo no la perderé. Jesús le dijo: —Te aseguro que esta misma noche, antes que cante el gallo, me negarás tres veces. Pedro afirmó: —Aunque tenga que morir contigo, no te negaré. Y todos los discípulos decían lo mismo. Luego fue Jesús con sus discípulos a un lugar llamado Getsemaní, y les dijo: —Siéntense aquí, mientras yo voy allí a orar. Y se llevó a Pedro y a los dos hijos de Zebedeo, y comenzó a sentirse muy triste y angustiado. Les dijo: —Siento en mi alma una tristeza de muerte. Quédense ustedes aquí, y permanezcan despiertos conmigo. En seguida Jesús se fue un poco más adelante, se inclinó hasta tocar el suelo con la frente, y oró diciendo: «Padre mío, si es posible, líbrame de este trago amargo; pero que no se haga lo que yo quiero, sino lo que quieres tú.» Luego volvió a donde estaban los discípulos, y los encontró dormidos. Le dijo a Pedro: —¿Ni siquiera una hora pudieron ustedes mantenerse despiertos conmigo? Manténganse despiertos y oren, para que no caigan en tentación. Ustedes tienen buena voluntad, pero son débiles. Por segunda vez se fue, y oró así: «Padre mío, si no es posible evitar que yo sufra esta prueba, hágase tu voluntad.» Cuando volvió, encontró otra vez dormidos a los discípulos, porque sus ojos se les cerraban de sueño. Los dejó y se fue a orar por tercera vez, repitiendo las mismas palabras. Entonces regresó a donde estaban los discípulos, y les dijo: —¿Siguen ustedes durmiendo y descansando? Ha llegado la hora en que el Hijo del hombre va a ser entregado en manos de los pecadores. Levántense, vámonos; ya se acerca el que me traiciona. Todavía estaba hablando Jesús, cuando Judas, uno de los doce discípulos, llegó acompañado de mucha gente armada con espadas y con palos. Iban de parte de los jefes de los sacerdotes y de los ancianos del pueblo. Judas, el traidor, les había dado una contraseña, diciéndoles: «Al que yo bese, ése es; arréstenlo.» Así que, acercándose a Jesús, dijo: —¡Buenas noches, Maestro! Y lo besó. Jesús le contestó: —Amigo, adelante con tus planes. Entonces los otros se acercaron, echaron mano a Jesús y lo arrestaron. En eso, uno de los que estaban con Jesús sacó su espada y le cortó una oreja al criado del sumo sacerdote. Jesús le dijo: —Guarda tu espada en su lugar. Porque todos los que pelean con la espada, también a espada morirán. ¿No sabes que yo podría rogarle a mi Padre, y él me mandaría ahora mismo más de doce ejércitos de ángeles? Pero en ese caso, ¿cómo se cumplirían las Escrituras, que dicen que debe suceder así? En seguida Jesús preguntó a la gente: —¿Por qué han venido ustedes con espadas y con palos a arrestarme, como si yo fuera un bandido? Todos los días he estado enseñando en el templo, y nunca me arrestaron. Pero todo esto sucede para que se cumpla lo que dijeron los profetas en las Escrituras. En aquel momento, todos los discípulos dejaron solo a Jesús y huyeron. Los que habían arrestado a Jesús lo llevaron a la casa de Caifás, el sumo sacerdote, donde los maestros de la ley y los ancianos estaban reunidos. Pedro lo siguió de lejos hasta el patio de la casa del sumo sacerdote. Entró, y se quedó sentado con los guardianes del templo, para ver en qué terminaría todo aquello. Los jefes de los sacerdotes y toda la Junta Suprema buscaban alguna prueba falsa para condenar a muerte a Jesús, pero no la encontraron, a pesar de que muchas personas se presentaron y lo acusaron falsamente. Por fin se presentaron dos más, que afirmaron: —Este hombre dijo: “Yo puedo destruir el templo de Dios y volver a levantarlo en tres días.” Entonces el sumo sacerdote se levantó y preguntó a Jesús: —¿No contestas nada? ¿Qué es esto que están diciendo contra ti? Pero Jesús se quedó callado. El sumo sacerdote le dijo: —En el nombre del Dios viviente te ordeno que digas la verdad. Dinos si tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios. Jesús le contestó: —Tú lo has dicho. Y yo les digo también que ustedes van a ver al Hijo del hombre sentado a la derecha del Todopoderoso, y viniendo en las nubes del cielo. Entonces el sumo sacerdote se rasgó las ropas en señal de indignación, y dijo: —¡Las palabras de este hombre son una ofensa contra Dios! ¿Qué necesidad tenemos de más testigos? Ustedes han oído sus palabras ofensivas; ¿qué les parece? Ellos contestaron: —Es culpable, y debe morir. Entonces le escupieron en la cara y lo golpearon. Otros le pegaron en la cara, diciéndole: —Tú que eres el Mesías, ¡adivina quién te pegó! Pedro, entre tanto, estaba sentado afuera, en el patio. En esto, una sirvienta se le acercó y le dijo: —Tú también andabas con Jesús, el de Galilea. Pero Pedro lo negó delante de todos, diciendo: —No sé de qué estás hablando. Luego se fue a la puerta, donde otra lo vio y dijo a los demás: —Ése andaba con Jesús, el de Nazaret. De nuevo Pedro lo negó, jurando: —¡No conozco a ese hombre! Poco después, los que estaban allí se acercaron a Pedro y le dijeron: —Seguro que tú también eres uno de ellos. Hasta en tu manera de hablar se te nota. Entonces él comenzó a jurar y perjurar, diciendo: —¡No conozco a ese hombre! En aquel mismo momento cantó un gallo, y Pedro se acordó de que Jesús le había dicho: «Antes que cante el gallo, me negarás tres veces.» Y salió Pedro de allí, y lloró amargamente. Cuando amaneció, todos los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos se pusieron de acuerdo en un plan para matar a Jesús. Lo llevaron atado y se lo entregaron a Pilato, el gobernador romano. Judas, el que había traicionado a Jesús, al ver que lo habían condenado, tuvo remordimientos y devolvió las treinta monedas de plata a los jefes de los sacerdotes y a los ancianos, diciéndoles: —He pecado entregando a la muerte a un hombre inocente. Pero ellos le contestaron: —¿Y eso qué nos importa a nosotros? ¡Eso es cosa tuya! Entonces Judas arrojó las monedas en el templo, y fue y se ahorcó. Los jefes de los sacerdotes recogieron aquel dinero, y dijeron: —Este dinero está manchado de sangre; no podemos ponerlo en el cofre de las ofrendas. Así que tomaron el acuerdo de comprar con él un terreno llamado el Campo del Alfarero, para tener un lugar donde enterrar a los extranjeros. Por eso, aquel terreno se llama hasta el día de hoy Campo de Sangre. Así se cumplió lo que había dicho el profeta Jeremías: «Tomaron las treinta monedas de plata, el precio que los israelitas le habían puesto, y con ellas compraron el campo del alfarero, tal como me lo ordenó el Señor.» Jesús fue llevado ante el gobernador, que le preguntó: —¿Eres tú el Rey de los judíos? —Tú lo has dicho —contestó Jesús. Mientras los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos lo acusaban, Jesús no respondía nada. Por eso Pilato le preguntó: —¿No oyes todo lo que están diciendo contra ti? Pero Jesús no le contestó ni una sola palabra; de manera que el gobernador se quedó muy extrañado. Durante la fiesta, el gobernador acostumbraba dejar libre un preso, el que la gente escogiera. Había entonces un preso famoso llamado Jesús Barrabás; y estando ellos reunidos, Pilato les preguntó: —¿A quién quieren ustedes que les ponga en libertad: a Jesús Barrabás, o a Jesús, el que llaman el Mesías? Porque se había dado cuenta de que lo habían entregado por envidia. Mientras Pilato estaba sentado en el tribunal, su esposa mandó a decirle: «No te metas con ese hombre justo, porque anoche tuve un sueño horrible por causa suya.» Pero los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos convencieron a la multitud de que pidiera la libertad de Barrabás y la muerte de Jesús. El gobernador les preguntó otra vez: —¿A cuál de los dos quieren ustedes que les ponga en libertad? Ellos dijeron: —¡A Barrabás! Pilato les preguntó: —¿Y qué voy a hacer con Jesús, el que llaman el Mesías? Todos contestaron: —¡Crucifícalo! Pilato les dijo: —Pues ¿qué mal ha hecho? Pero ellos volvieron a gritar: —¡Crucifícalo! Cuando Pilato vio que no conseguía nada, sino que el alboroto era cada vez mayor, mandó traer agua y se lavó las manos delante de todos, diciendo: —Yo no soy responsable de la muerte de este hombre; es cosa de ustedes. Toda la gente contestó: —¡Nosotros y nuestros hijos nos hacemos responsables de su muerte! Entonces Pilato dejó libre a Barrabás; luego mandó azotar a Jesús y lo entregó para que lo crucificaran. Los soldados del gobernador llevaron a Jesús al palacio y reunieron toda la tropa alrededor de él. Le quitaron su ropa, lo vistieron con una capa roja y le pusieron en la cabeza una corona tejida de espinas y una vara en la mano derecha. Luego se arrodillaron delante de él, y burlándose le decían: —¡Viva el Rey de los judíos! También lo escupían, y con la misma vara le golpeaban la cabeza. Después de burlarse así de él, le quitaron la capa roja, le pusieron su propia ropa y se lo llevaron para crucificarlo. Al salir de allí, encontraron a un hombre llamado Simón, natural de Cirene, a quien obligaron a cargar con la cruz de Jesús. Cuando llegaron a un sitio llamado Gólgota, (es decir, «Lugar de la Calavera»), le dieron a beber vino mezclado con hiel; pero Jesús, después de probarlo, no lo quiso beber. Cuando ya lo habían crucificado, los soldados echaron suertes para repartirse entre sí la ropa de Jesús. Luego se sentaron allí para vigilarlo. Y por encima de su cabeza pusieron un letrero, donde estaba escrita la causa de su condena. El letrero decía: «Éste es Jesús, el Rey de los judíos.» También fueron crucificados con él dos bandidos, uno a su derecha y otro a su izquierda. Los que pasaban lo insultaban, meneando la cabeza y diciendo: —¡Tú ibas a derribar el templo y a reconstruirlo en tres días! ¡Si eres Hijo de Dios, sálvate a ti mismo y bájate de la cruz! De la misma manera se burlaban de él los jefes de los sacerdotes y los maestros de la ley, junto con los ancianos. Decían: —Salvó a otros, pero a sí mismo no puede salvarse. Es el Rey de Israel: ¡pues que baje de la cruz, y creeremos en él! Ha puesto su confianza en Dios: ¡pues que Dios lo salve ahora, si de veras lo quiere! ¿No nos ha dicho que es Hijo de Dios? Y hasta los bandidos que estaban crucificados con él, lo insultaban. Desde el mediodía y hasta las tres de la tarde, toda la tierra quedó en oscuridad. A esa misma hora, Jesús gritó con fuerza: «Elí, Elí, ¿lemá sabactani?» (es decir: «Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?») Algunos de los que estaban allí, lo oyeron y dijeron: —Éste está llamando al profeta Elías. Al momento, uno de ellos fue corriendo en busca de una esponja, la empapó en vino agrio, la ató a una caña y se la acercó para que bebiera. Pero los otros dijeron: —Déjalo, a ver si Elías viene a salvarlo. Jesús dio otra vez un fuerte grito, y murió. En aquel momento el velo del templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba abajo. La tierra tembló, las rocas se partieron y los sepulcros se abrieron; y hasta muchas personas santas, que habían muerto, volvieron a la vida. Entonces salieron de sus tumbas, después de la resurrección de Jesús, y entraron en la santa ciudad de Jerusalén, donde mucha gente los vio. Cuando el capitán y los que estaban con él vigilando a Jesús vieron el terremoto y todo lo que estaba pasando, se llenaron de miedo y dijeron: —¡De veras este hombre era Hijo de Dios! Estaban allí, mirando de lejos, muchas mujeres que habían seguido a Jesús desde Galilea y que lo habían ayudado. Entre ellas se encontraban María Magdalena, María la madre de Santiago y de José, y la madre de los hijos de Zebedeo. Cuando ya anochecía, llegó un hombre rico llamado José, natural de Arimatea, que también se había hecho seguidor de Jesús. José fue a ver a Pilato y le pidió el cuerpo de Jesús. Pilato ordenó que se lo dieran, y José tomó el cuerpo, lo envolvió en una sábana de lino limpia y lo puso en un sepulcro nuevo, de su propiedad, que había hecho cavar en la roca. Después de tapar la entrada del sepulcro con una gran piedra, se fue. Pero María Magdalena y la otra María se quedaron sentadas frente al sepulcro. Al día siguiente, es decir, el sábado, los jefes de los sacerdotes y los fariseos fueron juntos a ver a Pilato, y le dijeron: —Señor, recordamos que aquel mentiroso, cuando aún vivía, dijo que después de tres días iba a resucitar. Por eso, mande usted asegurar el sepulcro hasta el tercer día, no sea que vengan sus discípulos y roben el cuerpo, y después digan a la gente que ha resucitado. En tal caso, la última mentira sería peor que la primera. Pilato les dijo: —Ahí tienen ustedes soldados de guardia. Vayan y aseguren el sepulcro lo mejor que puedan. Fueron, pues, y aseguraron el sepulcro poniendo un sello sobre la piedra que lo tapaba; y dejaron allí los soldados de guardia. Dios Habla Hoy (DHH) Dios habla hoy ®, © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1966, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1996. Líder: Oremos juntos la Oración de Comunión Espiritual. Jesús mío, creo que estás realmente presente en el Santísimo Sacramento del Altar. Te amo por encima de todas las cosas y te anhelo en mi alma. Como ahora no puedo recibirte sacramentalmente, entra al menos espiritualmente en mi corazón. Te abrazo como si ya estuvieras allí y me uno totalmente a ti. Nunca permitas que me separe de ti. Amén. Líder: Oremos en las palabras que nuestro Salvador Cristo nos enseñó. Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre, venga tu reino, Hágase tu voluntad, en la Tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Y perdona nuestras ofensas, como nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación, Mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, Tuyo es el poder y tuya es la gloria, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. Líder: Dios Todopoderoso, te rogamos amablemente que veas a esta tu familia, por quien nuestro Señor Jesucristo estuvo dispuesto a ser traicionado, y entregado a las manos de los pecadores, y sufrir la muerte en la cruz; quien vive y reina por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.