3/24/2024 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: Mark 15:1-39

1 As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
2 Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
3 The chief priests accused him of many things.
4 Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.”
5 Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested.
7 A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
8 The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed.
9 Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
10 For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
12 Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?”
13 They shouted again, “Crucify him.”
14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”
15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
18 They began to salute him with, Hail, King of the Jews!”
19 and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage.
20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.
21 They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
22 They brought him to the place of Golgotha – which is translated Place of the Skull –
23 They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it.
24 Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
26 The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”
27 With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left.
29 Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
30 save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
31 Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.
32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.
33 At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
34 And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.”
36 One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
37 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
38 The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
39 When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

3/24/2024 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection: Mark 15:1-39

In the gospel narrative above, we witness the culmination of Jesus’ earthly journey, a passage that speaks to the very heart of the Christian faith — the Passion of Christ. This story, more than any other, encapsulates the depth of God’s love for humanity, a love so boundless that it embraces suffering, humiliation, and ultimately, the cross, for the sake of our redemption.

The journey to Golgotha, the place of the Skull, is not merely a historical event; it is a testament to the enduring power of sacrificial love. Jesus, in His unwavering commitment to His mission, faced betrayal, denial, and the agony of crucifixion. Yet, amidst the pain and despair, His thoughts remained on others — forgiving His persecutors, comforting the crucified thief, and ensuring His mother’s care.

This narrative compels us to reflect on the nature of true strength, found not in power or might, but in vulnerability and love. It challenges us to see beyond our immediate struggles, recognizing that our moments of greatest difficulty can lead to profound transformation and renewal.

Let us draw inspiration from Jesus’ example, approaching our lives and the challenges we face with courage, compassion, and a heart open to the transformative power of love. In doing so, we honor His sacrifice and embody the hope and redemption it brings to the world.

As we ponder the passion of Christ, may we find solace in the promise it holds: that out of darkness comes light, out of suffering comes salvation, and out of death comes life eternal.

You may watch the video version of this reading and reflection below.