First Reading
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
1. Explain: “And the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
2. The First Reading says, “Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” What does this statement mean to you? Who are the “many?” Whose guilt does he bear?
Second Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
1. How does the following statement of Pope Francis relate to “let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy” in this reading?
Jesus is never far from us sinners. He wants to pour out on us,without limit, all of his mercy.
(Twitter: @pontifex, 24 March 2013)
2. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” What does this mean to you? Why do we need a “sympathetic high priest”?
Gospel: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
John 18:1–19:42
1. “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” To what “truth” is Jesus testifying? Is it related to love? How? What does “truth” mean to you? How can you testify to such truth in your life?
2. To what degree are you willing to testify to the truth?
3. “If you release him, you are not a friend of Caesar.” Do you make your decisions according to what you think is right, or according to what will bring you more friends?
4. “I thirst.” Was Jesus’ thirst for a drink, or was it for each of us, and for our love? How do you respond to such a thirst in your everyday life? For what do you thirst?
5. Here is Pope Francis’ statement about our thirst, for discussion:
Man is like a traveler who, crossing the deserts of life, thirsts for the living water: gushing and fresh, capable of quenching his deep desire for light, love, beauty, and peace. We all feel this desire! And Jesus gives us this living water: It is the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and whom Jesus pours out into our hearts. ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10), Jesus tells us.
