Litrugy of the Passon 1

Mark 14:1-15:57



Mark 14:1-2

"...they said 'Not during the festival or there may be a riot among the people'".
Mark 14:2

The Passion narrative is a complete unit of tradition - unlike much of what has preceded it. Three gospels record events almost in the same sequence, while John's variation is a focus on Jesus words and prayers, and is much more reflective. The Passion Narrative is a sustained unit of tradition - yet custom has the church dealing with the various scenes in this story over five days. More time is needed to consider the various aspects.

We begin this reading with the immediate introduction of tension - the plot to kill Jesus. Time is set (two days before the Passover), and intention declared, but there is a restricting factor to the plan of the Jewish religious leaders - the popularity of Jesus.

The sheer number of people in Jerusalem for the Passover, and the general level of support for Jesus - made Jesus' opponents wary. The Passover was not the time. A riot was feared. But it did not work out according to their initial ideas. God had other plans - and while the chief priests and scribes may have 'taken advantage' of opportunities presented and so achieved their ends - it was not their schedule that was run. What God plans and what we plan may coincide, but when they do not we need to look to God's timing - it will always win out.

Our plans for 2008 had long been a sabbatical year. In 2009 we finally got to take that time out, just 12 months delayed. For reasons related to work alone we knew early in 2007, perhaps even earlier in 2006, that 2008 would not be the year. As things unfolded during the year they revealed just how right the actual timing, God's timing, was. As 2009 unfolds for us that has been confirmed again.

The chief priests and scribes had their idea about when things should happen. God had other ideas.




Mark 14:3-9

"For you shall always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me." Mark 14:3-9

At the house of Simon the leper - or Simon the former leper (if he really was a leper they would not have gone near his house) - Jesus and his disciples were sharing a meal. This incident is recorded in all four gospels, and Mark's version of this event is in a somewhat unusually identified location.
The gospels vary in small (and sometimes important) details. Mark (with Matthew) has an alabaster jar, the anointing of Jesus' head, and identifies the unnamed woman's action as preparation for burial.

Differences between accounts need not concern us unduly, unless we want every word in Scripture to be the literal historic truth. An event occurred, and like any witnesses or participants three of four different versions of the incident vary in their details. There is also the possibility that one of the four 'anointings' was a completely separate incident. It would be unusual if eyewitnesses all saw and heard the same thing, and responded to it in exactly the same way. That would suggest one witness, whose story became the 'authorised version', rather than four witnesses sharing their story and their perspective.

In three of the accounts the reaction of the onlookers focuses on the waste of resources, almost a year's wages for a labourer have been tipped over Jesus' head. Such an extravagant act is an act of great love and devotion.

To the onlookers concerned about money (and I would have been among them) Jesus pointed to the universal presence of the poor - and his very temporary stay. Her act of devotion was graciously accepted.

What do we do now to show the depth of our love and devotion? Jesus isn't around for us to give him extravagant gifts - and the poor remain, they are always with us.
In Matthew 25:31-36 we read Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats. We learn that if we care for or minister to the sick, hungry or poor we are, as it were, pouring oil on Jesus' head.

As I write this in Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in the world, there are orphans on the street, even though I cannot identify them. There are a few beggars, mainly older ladies, who occasionally approach for a few shillings. There are families who struggle to put food on the table and to pay for clothing. They are around me, and I am not yet able to see or know who they are and what their struggle. There are many who strive for an education, a chance to get a regular job, and the possibility of a brighter future, The poor cannot afford to pay the fees for secondary school, let alone a tertiary education for the brightest among them. The poor we will always have with us.

Our love for Jesus should cause us to reach for the oil, and choose where to pour it. As we offer our gifts we will be preparing others for life, Scripture tells us that it will be as though we are giving our gift to Jesus.



Mark 14:10-11

"Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them." Mark 14:10

This we do not understand!

The One who taught with authority, healed the sick, exorcised demons, crossed the boundaries of social and religious tradition and healed lepers, women and foreigners, and welcomed children into his presence, was betrayed by one of his followers. Why?

By placing Judas' visit to the chief priests after the anointing at Bethany the betrayal is linked to money. References to money in Mark 14:5 & 11 serve to make that connection as the passion narrative begins.

Mark writes that they 'promised' to give Judas money. Matthew makes this transaction explicit and identifies a payment of "30 pieces of silver" (Mt 26:15). In contrast, Luke makes no mention of this incident. He has shaped the anointing incident (Lk 7:36-50) to focus on forgiveness. It has no place in his passion narrative, and the first hint of betrayal comes at the Lord's Supper. (Lk 20:21-23). Judas is identified as the betrayer only in the garden of Gethsemane (Lk 22:47). John shares this scenario with Luke, but has added an aside in his version of the anointing. In John, Judas is the one who asked about the waste of money, and with that question and the aside about future betrayal, Judas treachery is linked in our minds.

So the four gospels point to the finger at Judas as the mercenary betrayer. He sold Jesus for "30 pieces of silver".

Most people do not act out of singular motives. Helping the poor, for example, is a good thing to do. But id we are honest we would acknowledge that it also gives us a good feeling. For some it may also ease some guilt, or give them an interest in life beyond themselves, a project to invest in perhaps. At the same time it may even offer a tax break. And we must also remember that Scripture (Jewish and Christian) commands it. Motivation can include a number of different yet interrelated factors - it can be very complex.

So, too, Judas betrayal of Jesus. It may have been a money thing, but so many other aspects come into play. Was Judas disappointed with the 'other-worldly' emphasis of Jesus, whose kingdom was 'not of this world'? Was he a revolutionary at heart, who saw in Jesus one who would bring about the restoration of the nation of the Jews as in independent country? Was he longing for the restoration of the kingdom of David? Could it be that his traditional religious perspectives had been threatened as Jesus challenged the teachings of the chief priests, and the scribes? Could the increasing opposition to Jesus have caused Judas to be concerned about his own survival, and prompted him to protect himself?

Money is the easy answer...for it seems that we all believe that every person has his price. Thirty pieces of silver was a lot of money. Other motivating factors are not always obvious, nor are they always shared. For the gospel writer's money is the obvious connection. When looking at our own motivation we would do well to look past the obvious and explore honestly our innermost thoughts and feelings. Pure motives are great. The nature of our humanity, however, is that very few things we do come from a place of purity!




Mark 14:12-25

"This is my body... this is my blood." Mark 14:22,24

Timing is everything!

Jesus had already paved the way and prepared the place, Two disciples had to follow his instructions and then prepare for the Passover meal. For Jews this event was a part of the cult, a practice that reminded them of where they had come from, and who they were. It was a celebration of their past and an affirmation of their identity.

Jesus met with his disciples to celebrate. Normally this was a family event, and Jesus met with his 'new' family - the disciples.

Mark's account is simple and straightforward, and gives prediction of Jesus' betrayal equal space with the institution of the Lord's Supper. (Jesus ate with his betrayer, but Mark gives no further indication of who that betrayer would be. He was with them - so it was clearly one of the Twelve.) We note that in Mark's gospel it is a leader heading that suggests or implies the introduction of a new ritual. Mark told the story - later editors have imposed their understanding (or the understanding of their tradition) as most of our translations have section headings that were not part of the original text. Nothing Jesus had done up to now has pointed to a practice that should be repeated, and nothing in Mark's text around this event points that way either!

In the Passover celebration the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine carry particular significance. Jesus used these rituals, and renewed them, imbued them with new significance as he shared them with the Twelve. The bread that was broken was his body, the wine his blood -"the blood of the covenant poured out for many"(14:24)

How the disciples understood this at the time we do not know, Later the reality would hit home. It is no wonder they repeated this event, and later on it became 'an institution' and one of the sacraments of the Church.

Our remembrance of Jesus through the re-enactment of the Lord's Supper will help us to envisage the scene, experience the emotion, understand the pain, and embrace the cross.
For many followers of Jesus the practice of the Lord' Supper (the Eucharist or Holy Communion) defines who they are. It is part of their identity.
Participation in such a ritual does not make is Christians or followers of Jesus, but there are times when sharing in an act of remembrance, or a re-enactment, enhances our understanding and enriches our spiritual life.




Mark 14:26-31

"Even though all become deserters, I will not" Mark 14:29

According to Mark (and Matthew) they had already gone to the Mount of Olives when Peter declared his loyalty to Jesus. Luke, by way of contrast, has the group going to the Mount of Olives after this exchange. Does the physical location change the sentiment of Peter? No. Does the physical location change the prophetic word of Jesus? No.

No matter where it took place this is an important incident in the human drama of the Passion. Peter was the outspoken, upfront character among the disciples. He was the strong one - and as prone to act before thinking, or to use his tongue before his brain was put into gear (at least it seems that way at times). His role after the resurrection and in the years of the early church reveals the strength and qualities of his character - as well as the power of the Holy Spirit to transform these raw materials.

And so it was that he declared his intention to stick with Jesus in the time of his trial.

"Even though others desert you, said Peter, I will not! Even if I must die with you, said Peter, I will not deny you"

His loyalty was not to be questioned, and his desire to stand with Jesus was strong. As events unfolded Peter was unable to hold to his word. No doubt events overtook him, and that which he faced was a far greater challenge than he had ever faced before. Peter will appear again in this passion narrative - and because of the humanity we share we will find it difficult to judge him harshly.

How often are our desires pure and noble, yet we stumble into selfishness and self-protection, and fail to do what is right? How often do we start with good intentions, only to fall short when the going gets tough? How often do we fail to do what we have said because situations or circumstances overwhelm us?

There is much of Peter in all of us.
It is my prayer that my desires and intentions might be strong, as were those of Peter, and that the Holy Spirit might give me the power to be faithful, no matter what!