This year, on Palm Sunday, the Passion Account of St. Luke was read. St. Luke, a disciple of St. Paul, was a physician. Only in his Gospel account do we learn of some of the physical afflictions of Our Lord, such as the drops of sweat becoming blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. Additionally, the gentle and compassionate St. Luke gives us the wonderful account of the repentance of the Good Thief.
On Good Friday, the Church reads the Passion Account of St. John to the faithful. St. John’s Gospel has always inspired the Church, due to its majesty and theological significance. St. Augustine says that the Gospel soars like an eagle.
In St. John’s account of the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of the apostles, teaching us the need for humble, caring service to others. Whereas the first three Gospels have accounts of the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, St. John writes the sublime Farewell Discourses (Chapters 13-16) and ends with the magnificent High Priestly Prayer for Our Blessed Savior (Chapter 17).
In St. John’s Passion Account, it is clear that the Beloved Disciple (St. John) is a firsthand witness. St. John relates how Pilate repeatedly tries to free Our Lord. But part of the ruling leaders, the Sanhedrin, demands the death of Jesus. Others, like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemas, refuse to take part in the condemnation. When it is finally clear that a riot is beginning to break out, Pilate hands over Our Lord to be executed.
As Jesus is dying, St. John stands near the Blessed Mother. Our Lord’s last thoughts are on her and the Church. He says to His mother: “Behold your son.” And then to the Beloved Disciple, “Behold your Mother.” (Jn 19:26-27) Even as Our Lord is dying, He has given His mother to the Church and the Church to His mother.
After Jesus dies, a Roman soldier pierces the side of Christ. Blood and water flow from this wound. Through His blood we have been redeemed, and in His water we are baptized.
We learn the accounts of Our Lord’s Passion and Death predominately from the Gospel accounts. Take some time with your family to read these accounts during Holy Week. Each one tells us something different about the Last Supper and the Passion. The four accounts give us the totality of the price Jesus paid for our redemption. St. John’s account is singular in that the Beloved Disciple was actually present for the Passion.
The Last Supper and Passion Accounts of the other Gospels are tremendously useful to read as well. They are: St. Matthew’s account from Chapters 26-28; St. Mark’s description from Chapters 14-15; and St. Luke’s description is found in Chapters 21-23.
St. Paul tells us in the Epistle to the Romans that “death spread to all men, because all men sinned.” (Rm 5:12) All people and nations are equally responsible for this since everyone has sinned. For centuries, however, the Jewish nation was unfairly blamed for the crucifixion of Our Lord. This has led to many outbursts of violence against Jews. On October 28, 1965, the Church defined this issue that had caused great pain between Christians and Jews. In the document “Nostra Aetate” (Age of Ours), Vatican II states that “neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during His (Jesus) passion… Indeed, the Church reproves every form of persecution against whomsoever it may be directed.” (Paragraph 4) It is necessary to remember this important document throughout the year and especially during Holy Week.
I hope you read St. John’s account of Our Lord’s Passion and Death. It vividly demonstrates how Christianity is based on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Gospel Accounts of the Last Supper and Passion
Matthew, Chapters 26-28
Mark, Chapters 14-15
Luke, Chapters 21-23
John, Chapters 13-20
