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The Passion and Death of Jesus:. Comparison of the Gospel Narratives. Crucifixion . Form of capital punishment used in the ancient world Gruesome, painful, and humiliating Person is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam, tree, or cross Left to die
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The Passion and Death of Jesus: Comparison of the Gospel Narratives
Crucifixion Form of capital punishment used in the ancient world • Gruesome, painful, and humiliating • Person is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam, tree, or cross • Left to die • Exposed to elements and birds, insects, etc. • A beam placed near feet served as a footrest so person could lift themselves and breath
Nails inserted just above the wrists • Nails were 4-5 inches in length • Person could live from hours to days • Legs often broken to hasten death
History of Crucifixion • Used by the Persians, Seleucids, Carthaginians, Romans, and others • 6th century BC to 4th century AD • Outlawed in the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine I in 337 AD in veneration of Christ
History (cont.) Roman usage of crucifixion in history: • Third Servile War: in 73–71 BC (the slave rebellion under Spartacus) • Other Roman civil wars in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC • Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
What is the Passion? • Passion comes from a Latin root meaning “to suffer.”
The Plot to Kill Jesus: • The Synoptic Gospels all show the Jewish authorities (chief priests, elders and/or scribes) plotting to kill Jesus • They appear wary of the people’s reactions because of the nearness of Passover • John’s Gospel highlights the leading role of Caiaphas, the high priest.
Jesus is Anointed by a Woman: • In all four Gospels, a woman anoints Jesus during a meal. • In Mark and Matthew, two days before Passover, an anonymous woman, in Bethany • In John, six days before Passover, in the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. • In Luke, happens earlier, she is an anonymous, but sinful woman.
The Last Supper: The Synoptics • All three have the blessing prayers, saying the bread and wine are Jesus’ body and blood • Luke adds something different (Luke 22:19): “do this in remembrance of me.” • Only Luke gives evidence of the Passover tradition of blessing multiple cups of wine. • Luke has more dialogue… • In Mark and Matthew, Peter’s denial takes place just after the supper
The Last Supper: John’s Gospel • Not a Passover meal • The “Eucharistic” words are not spoken (John 6:22-59) • Jesus does something different here than in the other Gospels (John 13:2-16) • You should follow the example I have given you…(13:15) • Foretells Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. • Gives a “Farewell Discourse” during the meal and addresses a long prayer to God. (17:1-36)
Origin of Lent: • The word “Lent” comes from German “lenz” meaning Spring, or • possibly Old English “lencten” meaning meaning lengthen.
What are we celebrating? • The journey with Jesus through the desert/wilderness • Sharing in the passion and death of Jesus • A time of prayer, fasting, and acts of charity so that we might be transformed in our turning to God
How Long? Lent = 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday - 6 for Sundays (little Easter/Resurrection) = 40 days of Lent
The Liturgical color of the season Purple-signifies penance
Obligations during Lent • FASTING: do with less • ABSTINENCE: do without Fast: 1 full meal a day or 2 smaller meals; age 21-59 Abstinence: abstain from meat; age 14 up
fasting Fasting: • 5th Century” Fasting was very strict-one meal a day: no flesh meat, fish, eggs or dairy • Folks cleaned out stored foods from winter to prepare for new slaughters of spring and new dairy products (no refrigeration) • Later, works of charity were added to the requirements
The season of Lent and the Church Lent is a time of preparation for Baptism for those being initiated into the Church This happens at the Easter Vigil.
Rites during lent/rite of christian initiation for adults Catechumen: one receiving instruction from a catechist in the principles of the Christian religion or faith with a view to baptism. • 1st Sunday = Rite of Election • 4th Sunday = Creed • 5th Sunday = Our Father: catechumen • Easter Vigil: Catechumen receives baptism, confirmation, and eucharist during vigil • 50 days after Easter= mystagogia (reflection on grace received from baptism until Baptism)
Metanoia= not just refrain from sin but take on a new habit of helping others, etc.
Holy Week • Palm Sunday: Passion Sunday/reading of the Passion Narrative-reception of palms • Tuesday-oils blessed in Cathedral for the year-distributed to each parish • Wednesday: Judas plans to betray Jesus • Holy Thursday: Celebration of the institution of the Eucharist/Last Supper • Good Friday: Memorial of the Crucifixion of Jesus • Saturday: Easter Vigil: Sacraments of Initiation-Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation • Sunday: Easter: Celebration of the Resurrection