Religion 7/8

 Prayer ◦ Although we are constantly called to prayer, during Lent we wish to commit even more to this practice. ◦ Includes formal prayer (say the rosary), silent individual prayer (intercessions), and meditation (reading from the Bible)  Alms giving ◦ We give our time/resources to reach out to someone else  Sacrifice ◦ Give up one’s self or possessions ◦ Fasting (especially Ash Wednesday and Good Friday)

 Ashes ◦ Mortality, sorrow, and penance ◦ Repentance (turning away from sin and evil)  Cross ◦ Crucifixion ◦ Suffering and pain ◦ Sacrifice of Jesus. Death brings salvation  Thorns ◦ Suffering and pain ◦ Crown of Jesus

 Violet – suffering and sorrow  White – purity and glory  Green – growth and hope of eternal life  Pink or rose – joy  Bare branch – symbolizes Jesus death on a wooden cross  Palms – represent the palm branches thrown down in the path of Jesus by the people of Jerusalem as he entered. Sign of honor.

 Palm Sunday – Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. People welcomed him  Holy Thursday – The Last Supper. Oils are blessed.  Good Friday – The Passion of Jesus. The crucifixion. We make a sign of the cross  Holy Saturday – Altars are bare. Everyone in the church lights a candle, dispels darkness.  Easter Sunday – New life and fresh hope come in the risen Christ. Renew baptismal promises.

Palm Sunday: Jesus had just recently raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. Along with his other miracles and teachings, this action brought him great fame throughout Judea. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, as prophesized in the scriptures. People greeted him like a rockstar. The crowd waved tree branches called “palm”, much like cheerleaders wave pom-poms. Cheerleaders wave them on. Jesus got “waved on” with palm.

Washing of the Feet: Gospel of John describes the “Washing of the Feet”. This was a display of servitude and humility. Some of his apostles didn’t understand the meaning, saying “wash my head and my face too”. The Last Supper: The final time when Jesus shared bread and wine (body and blood) with his apostles.

Jesus prays in the garden: He is deeply troubled and anxious. He asks his apostles to pray with him, but they fall asleep. The Betrayal: Judas arrives with the Roman guards. Judas had informed the guards that “the one that I kiss” will be Jesus. In those times, it wasn’t uncommon for men to show respect in this way. But for Judas to use this show of respect as the signal is the ultimate “slap in the face”.

The flogging and torture Jesus is brought before the authorities. His apostles desert Him. He is sentenced to 40 lashes with a “cat of 9 tails”, and a crown of thorns is placed on his head. He is stripped and humiliated, while guards yell “hail, King of the Jews” mocking him. The trial with Pontius Pilate Pilate knows OF Jesus, but has no idea of the influence he has. Jesus sidesteps Pilate’s questions.

 Pontius Pilate was attempting to determine what Jesus’ crime was.  Pilate was asking Jesus questions:  “You claim to be the Son of God?”  “It is YOU who says this”.  “So you ARE a king then?”  “If my kingdom were from this world, then my people would be fighting to have me freed. But my kingdom is not from here.”  Pilate was somewhat afraid of Jesus, but did not see any need to have him put to death.  Pilate to Jewish people: “I find no case against Him. Take him yourselves and judge Him”.  “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.”

 Stations of the Cross start here …  You will hear this in detail on Thursday.