Isaiah 52:13-53:12
1. Why would God the Father lay upon Jesus “the iniquity of us all”? And why would God the Son accept this?
Do we call the driving force “Spirit”? Is that same Holy Spirit with us today? What kinds of things might the
Spirit inspire us to do? To end wars and biases? To fix climate change? To feed the hungry?
2. This reading says, “Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away. … ” Who relates to this part of Jesus’
suffering today?
Second Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
1. How does the following statement of Pope Francis relate to this reading?
Jesus is never far from us sinners. He wants to pour out on us, without limit, all of his mercy. (March 24, 2013)
2. What does the following mean to you? "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.” 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. To what “truth” is Jesus testifying?
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.
Did Jesus come to dwell among us so we would know the truth? Is truth related to love? How?
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 our love? How do you respond to such a thirst in your everyday life? For what do you thirst?
