Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday), March 25, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection. If used as an introduction during worship, a suggested format can be found here.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Isaiah envisions YAHWEH’s obedient Servant under assault: enduring insults, spitting and striking. He is determined not to flinch or waver from his conviction that YAHWEH is his help and vindication. In such light his adversaries fade into insignificance.

Psalm (31:9-16)

Under serious affliction from all those around him, the Psalmist is driven to tears, misery and extreme physical weakness. In spite of these attacks in which even his life is in danger, he remains confident that YAHWEH will deliver him.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:5-11)

St. Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Jesus who, although divine, humbled himself and endured a demeaning death. In the end, he was exalted by God to be Lord over all, with every knee in heaven and earth bowing before him.

Gospel (Mark 14:1-15:47)

After showing how Jesus is deserted by his followers, Mark relates how he is tried for blasphemy before the Jewish authorities and for treason before the Romans. On the cross, feeling forsaken even by his Father, Jesus dies and is buried. It is Passover eve.

Alternative Gospel (Mark 15:1-39, [40-47])

After showing how Jesus is deserted by his followers, Mark relates how he is tried for blasphemy before the Jewish authorities and for treason before the Romans. On the cross, feeling forsaken even by his Father, he dies and is buried. It is Passover eve.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Does God abandon his faithful servant?
  • The servant of God is to be obedient, confident in divine vindication
  • Our task is to remain humble, leaving any exaltation to the Lord
  • Obedience to God often leads to insults and persecutions