WELCOME TO BARBARAHS BLOG FOR HOLY THURSDAY

This week is devoted to The Passion of Christ that began on Palm Sunday.  Jesus, his mother, Mary, her sister, Mary wife of Cloepus, Mary of Magdala, Joanna, wife of Herod’s chief steward, Susanna, and Salome, mother of Zebedee’s two sons, other yet unnamed women, and the apostles are in Jerusalem for Passover.  His entrance into the Holy City on a donkey was met with crowds of believers shouting and chanting Christ and Messiah, words typically used to designate anointed ones.  He is also being called king of the Jews. There are many others who look on Jesus with suspicion.  It is the power of the words King of the Jews and the passion of his followers that raises fear among the high priests for their own positions.

During the Passover meal Jesus prophesies that the apostles Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter will betray him. Nevertheless, Jesus goes on with the meal.

Jesus Performs The First Holy Eucharist

“The Eucharist is the sacramental celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the total event of Christ’s Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension. During the Eucharist the Holy Spirit is called down on the assembly that it might become the Body of Christ and the people of God,” states the Encyclopedia of Catholicism.

Instituting the first Eucharist, Jesus takes a cup, gives thanks and says, “divide it among yourselves for I tell you from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.  And he takes bread, gives thanks and says, ‘This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.’  And likewise with the cup after supper, saying  ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.”  (Matthew 26:20-25)

Treachery and Trial

After sharing the bread and wine, Jesus and the apostles go to Gethsemane where Jesus prays.  When he rises from prayer, the apostle Judas Iscariot leans forward to kiss him. This is a sign arranged by Judas with the on-looking priests and captains in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.  Jesus is captured and brought to the high priest’s house, followed by the apostle Simon Peter, who denies knowing Jesus three times, as prophesied.  Jesus accusers find no corroborating testimony against him, so when morning comes, they bind him and take him to Pilate, the governor. (Luke 22:47-53)

After questioning, Pilate, finds no crime against Jesus and cannot come to a decision, especially since his wife had a prophetic dream in which she sees Jesus as a righteous man and warns Pilate not to harm him.  When Pilate discovers that Jesus is from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sends Jesus there. Herod, too, can find no crime against Jesus and returns him to Pilate.

Although Pilate does not believe Jesus guilty, he lacks the will to defy the demands of the high priests and elders.  To protect his standing with them Pilate takes advantage of a custom allowing the governor to release a prisoner of the crowd’s choosing on Passover: Pilate puts Jesus fate in their hands.  The inflamed crowd calls for the release of Barrabas, an outlaw–and Jesus is left to be crucified between two criminals.

Imagery Narrative: Jesus Trial

Close your eyes and breathe out three times.  See, feel, sense and know how it is to be Mary, Jesus mother, Mary Magdala, or any other of the women from Galilee (Jesus’ mother’s sister, Mary; Mary, wife of Cloepus, Joanna, Wife of Herod’s chief steward, Susanna and Salome) hearing Jesus is to be crucified.  Breathe out one time and open your eyes.

Click on the line below for the Imagery, Jesus Trial

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Go again to April 2, 2012, The Good Friday blog focusing on Jesus Crucifixion. 

Blessings, Barbarah