[Propertalk] READINGS for the LITURGY of the PASSION

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Liturgy of the Passion, Palm Sunday, 
April 12, according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman 
Catholic, Church of England, and Anglican Church of Canada Lectionaries. All 
readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the 
Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of the ECUSA, C of E and the 
ACC are identical to the RCL this Sunday.


OLD TESTAMENT:   Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a   (all)

Isai 50:4 (NRSV) The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens-- 
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9 It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?

Note: the Roman Catholic lectionary omits vs. 8-9a.


PSALM 31: 9 - 16   (RCL)
Psalm 31: 9 - 16 (17 - 18)   (C of E)

Psal 31:9 (NRSV) Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many-- 
terror all around!-- 
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
15 My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.


Psalm 22: 7 - 8, 16 - 19, 22 - 23  (Roman Catholic)

Psal 22 (NRSV)
7 All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver-- 
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!"

16 For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic bibles is different from the above.


NEW TESTAMENT:   Philippians 2: 5 - 11   (all but Roman Catholic)
                                      Philippians 2: 6 - 11   (Roman 
Catholic)

Phil 2:5 (NRSV) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death-- 
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


GOSPEL:   Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47   (longer version, RCL & Roman Catholic)
                    Mark 15: 1 - 39   (shorter version, all)

Mark 14:1 (NRSV) It was two days before the Passover and the festival of 
Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way 
to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, "Not during the 
festival, or there may be a riot among the people."
3 While he was at Beth'any in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the 
table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, 
and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some 
were there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in 
this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three 
hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her. 6 
But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a 
good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can 
show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 
She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its 
burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the 
whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
10 Then Judas Iscar'iot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief 
priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were 
greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an 
opportunity to betray him.
12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is 
sacrificed, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and make 
the preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 13 So he sent two of his 
disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of 
water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner 
of the house, "The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the 
Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, 
furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16 So the disciples 
set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and 
they prepared the Passover meal.
17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And when they had taken 
their places and were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will 
betray me, one who is eating with me." 19 They began to be distressed and to 
say to him one after another, "Surely, not I?" 20 He said to them, "It is 
one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21 For 
the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the 
Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have 
been born."
22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he 
broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 Then he 
took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them 
drank from it. 24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which 
is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the 
fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And 
Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters; for it is written,
"I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.'
28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter said 
to him, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." 30 Jesus said to 
him, "Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows 
twice, you will deny me three times." 31 But he said vehemently, "Even 
though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And all of them said the 
same.
32 They went to a place called Gethsem'ane; and he said to his disciples, 
"Sit here while I pray." 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and 
began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, "I am deeply 
grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." 35 And going a little 
farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were 
possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, "Abba, Father, for you 
all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but 
what you want." 37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, 
"Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and 
pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is 
willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 And again he went away and prayed, 
saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for 
their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41 He 
came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your 
rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands 
of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, 
arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the 
chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given 
them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead 
him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and 
said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested 
him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave 
of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, "Have 
you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 
49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not 
arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." 50 All of them deserted him 
and fled.
51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. 
They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the 
elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a 
distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting 
with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and 
the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to 
death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, 
and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony 
against him, saying, 58 "We heard him say, "I will destroy this temple that 
is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with 
hands.'" 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then 
the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? 
What is it that they testify against you?" 61 But he was silent and did not 
answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of 
the Blessed One?" 62 Jesus said, "I am; and
"you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,'
and "coming with the clouds of heaven.'"
63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we still need 
witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of 
them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to 
blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, "Prophesy!" The guards also 
took him over and beat him.
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the 
high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at 
him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 68 But he 
denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." 
And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the 
servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man 
is one of them." 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the 
bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are 
a Galilean." 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know 
this man you are talking about." 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the 
second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the 
cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept. 
15:1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with 
the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him 
away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King 
of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." 3 Then the chief priests 
accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, "Have you no answer? 
See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no further 
reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for 
whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barab'bas was in prison with the rebels 
who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and 
began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he 
answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 
For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had 
handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him 
release Barab'bas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, "Then 
what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" 13 
They shouted back, "Crucify him!" 14 Pilate asked them, "Why, what evil has 
he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" 15 So Pilate, 
wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barab'bas for them; and after 
flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the 
governor's headquarters) and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And 
they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a 
crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of 
the Jews!" 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt 
down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple 
cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry 
his cross; it was Simon of Cyre'ne, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 
Then they brought Jesus to the place called Gol'gotha (which means the place 
of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not 
take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, 
casting lots to decide 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 And 
with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 
28 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! 
You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save 
yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief 
priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and 
saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the 
King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and 
believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the 
afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "E'loi, 
E'loi, lema' sabach'thani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you 
forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, 
he is calling for Eli'jah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour 
wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us 
see whether Eli'jah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud 
cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, 
from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw 
that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's 
Son!"
40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary 
Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Jo'ses, and 
Salo'me. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in 
Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to 
Jerusalem.
42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, 
the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathe'a, a respected member of 
the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of 
God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate 
wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him 
whether he had been dead for some time. 45 When he learned from the 
centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph 
bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen 
cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then 
rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Mag'dalene and Mary the 
mother of Jo'ses saw where the body was laid.


Chad Wohlers
East Bridgewater, Mass.   USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
cwohlers at bridgew.edu