Saint Joseph Catholic Church

This Holy Week Mass brings us the second description of the Christlike Suffering Servant of the Lord. It is almost a portrait of Jesus during Holy Week. These final three Lenten Gospels all describe a dinner with Judas present.

For those following the readings of daily Mass in Lent, the Biblical best has been saved for Holy Week. The book of the prophet Isaiah contains four separate descriptions of a "Suffering Servant"--a shadowy figure called by God to suffer and give his life for the people. Today we read the first description of the Christ-like Suffering Servant. Isaiah shows him as chosen by God and patiently preaching justice to the nations. It is almost a description of the dedicated, patient Jesus. The Responsorial Psalm is the prayer of the Suffering Servant.

From the Gospel at the Procession with the Palms, Year A: The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matt 21:7-11)

The curtain is about to go up on the tumultuous events of Holy Week. This Mass reminds us of the meaning of those events. The plan to kill Jesus is approved and justified. It means the birth of a New Covenant, the New Testament. And in a sense we are there. --The Vatican II Weekday Missal

It is one week before Good Friday. Today's Mass is a further reminder of how hatred against Christ escalated in those final days before Holy Week. Fridays of Lent have a special penitential quality. --The Vatican II Weekday Missal

The weekday Masses towards the end of Lent are like a Passion Play. The Gospels, as one scene after the other, show the mounting hatred and growing tension. This is the "Abraham Mass," telling of the inheritance received through Abraham. The Opening Prayer reminds us of our great inheritance received from Christ. --The Vatican II Weekday Missal

Again Lent's austerity is interrupted as we solemnly keep a feast in honor of the Annunciation. The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is a mystery that belongs to the temporal rather than to the sanctoral cycle in the Church's calendar. For the feast commemorates the most sublime moment in the history of time, the moment when the Second Divine Person of the most Holy Trinity assumed human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Thus it is a feast of our Lord, even as it is of Mary, although the liturgy centers wholly around the Mother of God. --The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

We have another ancient beautiful Lenten lesson. The division between Jesus and His enemies becomes more critical, more sharp. There are references in both readings to "being lifted up." This reminds us of the crucifixion on Calvary and of events coming ten days from now. --The Vatican II Weekday Missal

We begin the fifth and final full week of Lent. In previous times the crosses and statues in church were veiled at this time to indicate Passion Time. Now the liturgical readings, day after day, tell of the lowering storm clouds that next week will break open. Today's ancient Lenten readings taught the penitents (and teach us) that every sin is adultery to God--and is pardonable by Christ. --The Vatican II Weekday Missal