Used in 2022
Passion Reading from Luke 22 (excerpted)
Carl (Narrator): The Passion of our Lord, according to Luke. When the hour had come, Jesus took a place at the table with the apostles. A dispute arose among them about who would be regarded as the greatest. Jesus said to them:
Vince (Jesus): Earthly rulers domineer over their people. Those who exercise authority over them are called their “benefactors.” This must not happen with you. Let the greatest among you be like the youngest. Let the leader among you become the follower. For who is the greater? The one who reclines at meal, or the one who serves it? Is it not the one reclining at the table? Yet here I am among you as the one who serves you.
You are the ones who have stood by me faithfully in trials. Just as God has given me dominion, so I give it to you. In my reign, you will eat and drink at my table, and you will sit on the thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, Simon! Satan has demanded you be sifted like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. You, in turn, must give strength to your sisters and brothers.
Charlie (Peter): Rabbi, with you I am prepared to face imprisonment and even death.
Vince (Jesus):
I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.
Carl (Narrator): Jesus then said to the apostles:
Vince (Jesus): When I sent you out on the mission without a purse, traveling bag or sandals, were you in need of anything?
Marian (All): No, nothing!
Vince (Jesus): Now, however, the one who has a purse had better carry it; the same with a traveling bag. And if they do not have sword, they should sell their cloaks and buy one! For I tell you, what was written in scripture must be fulfilled in me: “The suffering servant was counted among criminals: — for whatever refers to me must be fulfilled.
Carl (Narrator): Then Jesus went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives. The disciples accompanied him. When they reached the place, Jesus said to them:
Vince (Jesus): Pray that you not be put to the test.
Carl (Narrator): Then Jesus withdrew about a stone’s through from them, knelt, and prayed:
Vince (Jesus): Abba, if it is your will, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.
Carl (Narrator): An angel then appeared to Jesus from heaven to strengthen him. In anguish, Jesus prayed all the more fervently, and sweat –- like drops of blood –- fell to the ground. When Jesus rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, exhausted with grief. He said to them:
Vince (Jesus): Why do you sleep? Wake up, and pray you not be subjected to the trial.
Carl (Narrator): While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd suddenly appeared… to those who had come out against him -– the chief priests, the chiefs of the Temple Guard, and the elders –- Jesus said:
Vince (Jesus): Why do you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a robber? I was with you in the Temple every day, and you could have laid hands on me any time you wanted. But this is your hour – the triumph of darkness!
Carl (Narrator): They arrested Jesus and led him away…At daybreak the Sanhedrin – which was made up of the elders of the people, the chief priests, and the religious scholars – assembled again. Once they had brought Jesus before the count, they said:
Marian (All 1): Tell us, are you the Messiah?
Carl (Narrator): Jesus replied:
Vince (Jesus): If I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I question you, you will not answer! But from now on, the Chosen One will have a seat at the right hand of the Power of God.
Marian (All 1): So, you are the Chosen One?
Carl (Narrator): Jesus answered:
Vince (Jesus): Your own words have said it!
Marian (All 1): What need do we have of witnesses? We have heard it from his own mouth!
Carl (Narrator): Then the whole assembly arose and led Jesus to Pilate. They began to accuse Jesus by saying:
Katy (All 2): We found this one subverting our nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar and even claiming to be Messiah, a king.
Carl (Narrator): Then Pilate questioned Jesus.
Amalia (Pilate): Are you the King of the Jews?
Vince (Jesus): You have said it.
Carl (Narrator): Then Pilate reported to the chief priests and the crowds:
Amalia (Pilate): I find no guilt in him!
Carl (Narrator): But the crowds insisted:
Katy (All 2): He stirs up the people wherever he teaches, through the whole of Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem.
Carl (Narrator): On hearing this, Pilate asked whether Jesus was a Galilean, and learning Jesus was from Herod’s jurisdiction, sent Jesus off to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at this time.
Now, at the sight of Jesus, Herod was very pleased. From the reports he had heard about Jesus, he had wanted for a long time to see him. Herod hoped even to see Jesus perform some miracle. Herod questioned him at great length, but Jesus would not answer. The chief priests and religious scholars stood there, accusing Jesus vehemently. So, Herod and the soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and ridicule, put a magnificent robe upon him, and sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate, who had previously been set against each other, became friends that day. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the ruling class, and the people, and said to them:
Amalia (Pilate): You have brought this person before me as someone who incites people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for any charge against him arising from your allegations. Neither has Herod, for Jesus has been sent back to us. Obviously, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish Jesus, but then I will release him.
Carl (Narrator): But the crowd demanded Jesus be crucified, and their shouts increased in volume. Pilate decided their demands should be met … (and) Jesus was handed over to the crowd. As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon – a Cyrenean, who was just coming in from the fields – and forced him to carry the cross behind Jesus. A large crowd was following, many of them women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. At one point, Jesus turned to these women and said:
Vince (Jesus): Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me! Weep rather for yourselves and for your children! The time is coming when it will be said: “Blessed are the childless, the wombs that have never given birth, and the breasts that have never nursed.” Then people will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us up!” For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
Carl (Narrator): Two others were also led off with Jesus, criminals who were to be put to death. When they had reached the place called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there – together with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said:
Vince (Jesus): Abba, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.
Carl (Narrator): They divided his garments, rolling dice for them. The people stood there watching. The rulers, however, jeered him and said:
Katy (All 2): He saved others, let him help himself – if he is the Messiah of God, the Chosen One!
Carl (Narrator): The soldiers also mocked him. They served Jesus sour wine and said:
Marian (Soldier): If you are really the King of the Jews, save yourself!
Carl (Narrator): There was an inscription above Jesus that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who hung there beside him insulted Jesus, too, saying:
Charlie (Criminal 1): Are you really the Messiah? Then save yourself – and us!
Carl (Narrator): But the other answered the first with a rebuke:
Megan (Criminal 2): Do you not even fear God? We are only paying the price for what we have done, but this one has done nothing wrong! Jesus, remember me when you come into your glory!
Carl (Narrator): Jesus replied:
Vince (Jesus): The truth is, today you will be with me in paradise!
Carl (Narrator): It was about noon, and darkness fell on the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two and Jesus uttered a loud cry and said:
Vince (Jesus): Abba, into your hands I commit my spirit.
Carl (Narrator): This my brothers and sisters, is the Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ