Palm Sunday (Year C)

To see the full text of the long Passion reading, click on ‘Reader’ to read on screen, or click on ‘PDF’ to view or download the six-page PDF

When the time came for the Passover meal, Jesus took his place, at the table, with the apostles. Jesus said to them, ‘I have longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then Jesus took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, ‘Take this, and divide it amongst yourselves; for I will not drink the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God has come.’ Then Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And in the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant, in my blood, which is poured out for you. And see, the one who betrays me is here with me. His hand is on the table with mine. For the Son of Man departs as it has been determined. But woe to the one who betrays him!’ And they began to question amongst themselves, which one of them it could be that would do this. They also began to dispute amongst themselves, which one of them should be considered the greatest. But Jesus said to them, ‘The rulers of the nations lord it over them; and those with great authority are called benefactors. But it shall not be so with you. The greatest amongst you must become like the least, and the leader must become like one who serves - just as I am amongst you as one who serves. You are the ones who have stood by me in my trials. And I grant you a kingdom, just as my Father has granted a kingdom to me. You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, and serve justice. Now Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you return, strengthen your brothers.’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you, to prison, and to death!’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’ Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘You know that when I sent you out without purse, or bag, or sandals, you lacked nothing. But now, take your purse, and your bag. And if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one. The scripture says, “He was counted amongst the lawless”; and now this is being fulfilled in me.’ The disciples said, ‘Lord, here are two swords.’ And Jesus replied, ‘It is enough.’ Then they went out to the Mount of Olives, Jesus leading, and the disciples following. And when they had reached the place, Jesus said to them, ‘Pray, that you may not have to enter the time of temptation, testing, and trial.’ And Jesus withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours, be done.’ Then an angel, from heaven, appeared to him, and gave him strength. And he prayed with greater anguish; and his sweat became like great drops of blood, falling to the ground. When Jesus got up from prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, exhausted by grief. Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up, and pray that you may not have to enter the time of temptation, testing, and trial.’ While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd appeared. Amongst them were the chief priests, the temple guards, and the elders. And Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. Judas approached Jesus, as if to greet him with a kiss. And Jesus said, ‘Judas, do you betray the Son of Man, with a kiss?’ When those who were around Jesus saw what was happening, they asked Jesus whether they should use their swords. One of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And Jesus touched the servant’s ear, and it was healed. Then Jesus said to those who had come to arrest him, ‘Day after day, I was in your temple, teaching, and you did not arrest me. And now you come out with swords and clubs, to arrest me like an outlaw. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.’ Then they seized Jesus, and led him away to the house of the high priest. Peter followed, at a distance. The guards lit a fire, in the middle of the courtyard, and sat down together. Peter sat amongst them. In the light from the fire, Peter was noticed by one of the women who worked there. She observed him carefully, then said, ‘This man was with him.’ But Peter denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A short time later, another said to him, ‘You are one of them!’ But Peter said, ‘I am not!’ About an hour later, another was insisting, ‘Surely this man was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘I do not know what you mean.’ At that very moment, while Peter was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered that the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows, today, you will deny me three times.’ And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. The guards who were detaining Jesus began to mock him; blindfolding him, and beating him; and saying, ‘If you are a prophet, tell us who struck you;’ and many other insults against him. When daylight came, the chief priests and the scribes assembled, and they had Jesus brought before them. They said to him, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ Jesus said, ‘If I were to tell you, you would not believe. And if I were to question you, you would not answer. But soon, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ They said, ‘Then you are the Son of God?’ Jesus said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ They said, ‘We need no further witnesses. We have heard it ourselves, from his own lips.’ The assembly arose, and they took Jesus to Pilate. There, they made their accusations against him: ‘We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding the payment of taxes to the emperor, and declaring himself to be the Messiah - the anointed king.’ Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘You have said it.’ But Pilate said, to the chief priests, and to all those assembled, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent, saying, ‘He stirs up the people, teaching throughout Judea, from Galilee, where he began, and now here, in Jerusalem.’ When Pilate heard this, he enquired whether Jesus was Galilean, as this would place Jesus under Herod’s jurisdiction. On hearing that Jesus was indeed Galilean, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was glad, because he had been wanting to see Jesus for some time, having heard about him, and was hoping to see him perform some sign. Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus gave no answer. The chief priests and the scribes continued accusing Jesus. Herod and his soldiers began to treat Jesus with contempt. Mocking him, they put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends that day, where previously there had been hostility between them. Pilate now called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man, accusing him of subverting the people. I have examined him in your presence, and I have found nothing that makes him guilty of the accusations you have made against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. He has done nothing deserving death. I will have him flogged, and release him.’ But they all shouted out, ‘Away with him! Release Barabbas!’ (Barabbas had been imprisoned for insurrection, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, appealed to them again; but those who were gathered began shouting out that Jesus should be crucified. A third time, Pilate said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I find no reason for his death. I will have him flogged, and release him.’ But they continued shouting out their demand that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed; and Pilate declared that their demand should be granted; and Pilate released Barabbas, as they had demanded - the one who had been imprisoned for insurrection and for murder - and Jesus, he delivered up to their will. As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon, from North Africa, who was travelling into Jerusalem. And they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it, behind Jesus. A great number of people followed behind, including women, who were weeping for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For the days are coming when many will declare the childless woman fortunate, and blessed. And people will long for the mountains and the hills to fall on them and cover them. For if this is what they do when the wood is green, what will they do when it is dry.’ Two criminals were also being led away, to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, with the criminals, one on his right, and one on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood watching. But the rulers mocked him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is God’s anointed, God’s chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, approaching him to offer sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ For the inscription, written above him, said, ‘The King of the Jews.’ One of the criminals crucified alongside him also mocked him, saying, ‘If you are the Messiah, save yourself - and us!’ But the other criminal said to him, ‘Have you no fear of God? We are being punished for our crimes, but this man has done no wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus replied, ‘Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ It was now about noon. And for three hours, darkness came over the whole land. For the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple sanctuary was torn in two. Then Jesus cried out, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ And saying this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing all that had taken place, praised God, saying, ‘Surely, this was a righteous man.’ And all those who had gathered to witness these things now returned home, beating their breasts. And all those who knew Jesus, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, looked on at these things, from a distance. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, from Arimathea, who was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. He was a member of the Hebrew council, but he had not consented to their plan or action. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in an unused tomb, which had been carved out from the rock. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed behind, and saw the tomb where the body was laid. They returned, and prepared spices and ointments; but it was evening, and the sabbath was beginning, and for the sabbath day, they rested, in accordance with the commandment. The Passion of the Lord.