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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
October 13, 2024
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Lent

Forty days before the Triduum, the Lenten season disposes Catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery through prayer and penitential practices.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Reading I : Isaiah 50:4-7

God helps us.

  • The first reading from Isaiah is one of four passages that focus on the "servant" of God.
  • In all four examples, the servant is faithful, even in the face of suffering.
  • The servant in today's passage stands by his belief that with God on his side, he will not be put to shame.

Reading II : Philippians 2:6-11

God's name is holy.

  • Scripture scholars believe that today's second reading was a familiar early Christian hymn.
  • The purpose of Paul's hymn for the Philippians is to persuade the community to be united in Christ.
  • Paul uses the example of Jesus' self emptying obedience to encourage the community to end its divisions.

Gospel : Luke 22:14-23:56

Jesus shows us how to love.

  • Similar to the description of the servant of Isaiah, Jesus willingly accepted the suffering and anguish that can be the price of fidelity.
  • Throughout the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is depicted as the faithful prophet who speaks God's word even in the midst of his own suffering.
  • In today's account of the Passion of Christ, Luke emphasizes the innocence of Jesus.