Dear brothers and sisters, We come to live more our faith when we suffer like Christ.  Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
Palm Sunday C
20 March 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
Reading: Isaiah 50,4-7
• 4 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained
tongue, that I might know how to speak to the
weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after
morning he opens my ear that I may hear; 5
And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6
I gave my back to those who beat me, my
cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face
I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The
Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not
disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing
that I shall not be put to shame.
The focus is on submission.

3. 1st
Reading: Isaiah 50,4-7
God’s goodness/graciousness upon his servant
• 4 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that
will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear
that I may hear;
Servant’s submissiveness (no vengeance)
• 5 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I
gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those
who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from
buffets and spitting.
God’s goodness
• 7 The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not
disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I
shall not be put to shame.
A simple outline!

4. Textual Context of Is 50,4-7
Is 40-55 Book of Consolation (NAB)
I. The Lord’s Glory in Israel’s Liberation (40-48)
II. Expiation of Sin, Spiritual Liberation of Israel
(49-55)
III. Return of the First Captives (56-66)

5. Second Isaiah

6. 1st
Reading: Isaiah 50,4-7
God’s goodness/graciousness
upon his servant
• 4 The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue, that I
might know how to speak to the
weary a word that will rouse
them. Morning after morning he
opens my ear that I may hear
Servant’s submissiveness (no
vengeance)
• 5 And I have not rebelled, have
not turned back. 6 I gave my
back to those who beat me, my
cheeks to those who plucked
my beard; My face I did not
shield from buffets and spitting.
God’s goodness
• 7 The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced; I
have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to
shame.
Commentary
• The text is a “suffering servant song.”
• V.4 talks about God’s goodness to the
servant, concretized in his gift of “well-
trained tongue” (empowering tongue,
inspiring, energizing); another is the gift of
hearing (receptivity).
• In vv.5-6, the suffering servant takes
pride in not taking vengeance when
oppressed, when physically violated.
Instead, he is submissive and
vulnerable.
• V.7 gives the explanation why the
servant is not avoiding his enemies and
why he is not defending himself.
– “The Lord God is my help.”
• In his suffering, the servant does not feel
disgraced or shamed.
• He holds himself. (Hawak niya ang
kanyang sarili.)

7. Reflections on the 1st
reading
• To the faithful servant, the violence or the
injustice done upon him is just a waste of time, a
waste of energy, and an exercise in futility on the
part of the oppressor.
• The implication here is that the violent man must
stop doing his foolishness.
• Likewise, those who experience violence must
also have a deep relationship with God, in order
to cope with the situation.
• If we do not have a deep spirituality (deep prayer life
and sense of purpose), we cannot survive amidst
persecutions. (We run away, we develop coping mechanisms
which could be addictive.)

8. Further Reflections
• Does God condone oppression?
• Why does God allow injustices / violence to happen?
• No one who is in his right mind can justify oppression,
violence, injustice and all other forms of human right
violations.
• Pope Benedict XVI once said, “No one should use
religion to justify violence.”
• All these uncharitable and criminal acts should be
stopped at all cost.
• In this Year of Faith, we are asked to give witness to
faith in the midst of persecution.

9. Resp. Psalm Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20,
23-24
• R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
8 All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
9 “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
• 17 Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
18 They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
• 19 They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
20 But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
• 23I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
24 “You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

10. Resp. Psalm Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20,
23-24
• R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you
abandoned me?
8 All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their
heads:
9 “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
• 17 Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
18 They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
• 19 They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
20 But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
• 23I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
24 “You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to
him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”
Commentary
• The psalm somehow puts into
prayer the experience of the
suffering servant in the first
reading.
• In vv.8-9, the psalmist suffers
from scoffs and mockery.
• In vv.17, the psalmist is
surrounded by so many
enemies.
• Vv.18-19 describe his
crucifixion. (also Jesus’
crucifixion)
• V.20 is a prayer of hope.
• In vv.23-24, the psalmist
promises to praise God before
the people. He also exhorts all
Israelites to do the same.

11. Reflections on the Psalm
• We may be badly beaten by our enemies,
but like the psalmist, we must pray to God
for deliverance.
• In times of extreme physical and
psychological torture and pain, let us not
forget to have recourse in God.
• God will maintain our sanity.
• God will not fail us. He will make us
victorious. We will end up praising him.

12. 2nd
reading: Philippians 2,6-11
• 6 Though he was in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God something to be
grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking
the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled
himself, becoming obedient to death, even death
on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name that
is above every name, 10 that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bend, of those in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The focus is on the emptying of Christ.

13. 2nd
reading: Philippians 2,6-11
Jesus’ Emptying
• 6 Though he was in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather,
he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming
in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8
he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even
death on a cross.
Exaltation of Jesus
• 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and
bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
A simple outline!

14. Textual Context of Phil 2,6-11
• I. Address (1,1-11)
• II. Progress of the Gosel (1,12-26)
• III. Instructions for the Community (1,27—2,18)
• IV. Travel Plans of Paul and His Assistants) 2,19—3,1)
• V. Polemic: Righteousness and the Goal in Christ (3,2-
21)
• VI. Instructions for the Community (4,1-9)
• VII. Gratitude for the Philippians’ Generosity (4,10-20)
• VIII. Farewell (4,21-23)

16. 2nd
reading: Philippians 2,6-11
Jesus’ Emptying
• 6 Though he was in the
form of God, did not regard
equality with God
something to be grasped. 7
Rather, he emptied
himself, taking the form of
a slave, coming in human
likeness; and found human
in appearance, 8 he
humbled himself, becoming
obedient to death, even
death on a cross.
Exaltation of Jesus
• 9 Because of this, God
greatly exalted him and
bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
10 that at the name of
Jesus every knee should
bend, of those in heaven
and on earth and under the
earth, 11 and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
Commentary
• The text speaks of Paul’s deep reflection on the
mystery of Christ.
It is divided into 2 parts:
• Vv.6-8 talk about Jesus’ emptying himself of his
own divinity, incarnating into a human being,
emptying (humbling) further into death, and further
into a death of a criminal.
– Jesus submitted himself to the lowest form of
existence, lowest kind of indignity and humiliation.
Sagad ang humility niya, down to the bottom.
• Vv.9-11, the second part, speaks of the reward
(inversion) for his total and utter emptying:
– Name above every name, every knee bends, every
tongue confess, “JC is Lord.”
• Paul captures well the meaning of Jesus’ mystery.
He expounds the meaning of the incarnation of
Jesus, his total self-giving on Calvary and his
vindication (resurrection).
• It was just right for him to suffer and die, in
obedience to the Father.

17. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
• What kind of foolishness is this? God becoming human,
a human being, submitting himself to die without dignity.
• What is the philosophy behind humility (incarnation, dying
on the cross, dying a criminal’s death)?
• Is humility / emptying really the path to salvation, to
God’s glory?
• The text says yes.
• We may not agree, but this is the path God ordained for
his son to do and complete his job.
• Human as we are, we avoid being humiliated. We want
to preserve our honor. We want others to treat us nicely.
• Precisely, Jesus is now in his glory, because he
subjected himself to his tormentors. He obeyed God’s
mysterious plan.
• He did not gain back his glory, by bargaining or by
mitigating his self-emptying.

18. Gospel: Luke 22,14--23,56 or Lk 23,1-49
False accusations
• 1 Then the whole assembly of
them arose and brought him
before Pilate. 2 They brought
charges against him, saying, "We
found this man misleading our
people; he opposes the payment
of taxes to Caesar and maintains
that he is the Messiah, a king."
Pilate says he is not guilty
• 3 Pilate asked him, "Are you the
king of the Jews?" He said to him
in reply, "You say so." 4 Pilate
then addressed the chief priests
and the crowds, "I find this man
not guilty."
False accusations (con’t)
• 5 But they were adamant and
said, "He is inciting the people with
his teaching throughout all Judea,
from Galilee where he began even
to here."
Commentary
• In v.1, the people drag Jesus to
Pilate.
• V.2 enumerates their accusations:
– Misleading the people
– Opposes payment of taxes
– Claims to be the messiah, king
• In v.3, Pilate interviews Jesus.
• In v.4, Pilate does not find Jesus
guilty of their accusations.
• In v.5, the chief priests disagree
with Pilate and they further accuse
him
– of inciting a rebellion.
– He began doing it in Galilee, now
he is brainwashing the people in
Judea.
• Whatever the chief priests say
reveal their hypocrisy.
• They act as if they love the
Romans.

19. Pilate to Herod (Jesus,
Galilean, not Judean)
• 6 On hearing this Pilate asked
if the man was a Galilean; 7
and upon learning that he was
under Herod's jurisdiction, he
sent him to Herod who was in
Jerusalem at that time. 8
Herod was very glad to see
Jesus; he had been wanting to
see him for a long time, for he
had heard about him and had
been hoping to see him
perform some sign. 9 He
questioned him at length, but
he gave him no answer.
• In v.6, Pilate clarifies if
Jesus is a Galilean (from the
North).
• In v.7, upon learning that
Jesus is a Galilean, Pilate
sends him to Herod
(Antipas), a ruler of Galilee,
who is only visiting at that
time.
• In v.8, the focus is on Herod
(son of Herod the Great, 37-4 BC).
He wants to see Jesus for
some entertainment.
• In v.9, Herod asks Jesus a
lot of questions, but the
latter does not answer.
– No entertainment.
• Jesus is not an entertainer.

20. Chief priests (Sadducees) and
scribes accuse
• 10 The chief priests and scribes,
meanwhile, stood by accusing him
harshly.
Mocking
• 11 (Even) Herod and his soldiers
treated him contemptuously and
mocked him, and after clothing him
in resplendent garb, he sent him
back to Pilate.
Herod and Pilate: Jesus not guilty
• 12 Herod and Pilate became friends
that very day, even though they had
been enemies formerly. 13 Pilate
then summoned the chief priests,
the rulers, and the people 14 and
said to them, "You brought this man
to me and accused him of inciting
the people to revolt. I have
conducted my investigation in your
presence and have not found this
man guilty of the charges you have
brought against him, 15 nor did
Herod, for he sent him back to us.
So no capital crime has been
committed by him. 16 Therefore I
shall have him flogged and then
release him."
• In v.10, the chief priests and the
scribes are very strong in
accusing Jesus. What’s their
problem?
• In v.11, Herod participates in
making fun of Jesus. His soldiers
follow him. They now make an
entertainment out of Jesus.
• In v.12, Herod and Pilate become
friends; they were formerly
enemies. (Did they see each other?)
• In vv.13-15, Pilate summons the
chief priests, leaders and the
people.
• Pilate and Herod find no offense
of Jesus that deserves capital
punishment.
• In v.16, Pilate decides to flog him,
before releasing him. (Why, if
Jesus is innocent, did Pilate not
release him right away.)

21. Release Barabbas, crucify Jesus
• 17 18 But all together they shouted
out, "Away with this man! Release
Barabbas to us." 19 (Now Barabbas
had been imprisoned for a rebellion
that had taken place in the city and for
murder.) 20 Again Pilate addressed
them, still wishing to release Jesus,
21 but they continued their shouting,
"Crucify him! Crucify him!" 22 Pilate
addressed them a third time, "What
evil has this man done? I found him
guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I
shall have him flogged and then
release him."
Pilate gives in
• 23 With loud shouts, however, they
persisted in calling for his crucifixion,
and their voices prevailed. 24 The
verdict of Pilate was that their demand
should be granted. 25 So he released
the man who had been imprisoned for
rebellion and murder, for whom they
asked, and he handed Jesus over to
them to deal with as they wished.
• There is no v.17.
• In v.18, the people prefer
Barabbas to be released.
• V.19 indicates the crime of
Barabbas (rebellion)
• In v.20, Pilate reiterates Jesus’
release.
• In v.21, they keep on shouting,
“Crucify him.”
• In v.22, for the third time, Pilate
wants to release Jesus.
• In v.23, they, with their loud voices,
prevail over Pilate.
• In v.24, Pilate grants their demand.
– He releases Barabbas who is guilty
of rebellion and murder.
– He gives Jesus to them. V.25

22. Simon of Cyrene
• 26 As they led him away they took
hold of a certain Simon, a
Cyrenian, who was coming in from
the country; and after laying the
cross on him, they made him carry
it behind Jesus.
People following
• 27 A large crowd of people
followed Jesus, including many
women who mourned and
lamented him. 28 Jesus turned to
them and said, "Daughters of
Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and
for your children, 29 for indeed,
the days are coming when people
will say, 'Blessed are the barren,
the wombs that never bore and
the breasts that never nursed.' 30
At that time people will say to the
mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to
the hills, 'Cover us!' 31 for if these
things are done when the wood is
green what will happen when it is
dry?"
• In v.26, they take Jesus away from
Pilate. Along the way, they ask
Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’
cross.
• In v.27, a large crowd of people =
those who sympathize with Jesus.
• The women who mourn are
women disciples of Jesus. They
could not do anything for him.
• V.28 specify the women as women
of Jerusalem.
• Vv.29-31 somehow poetically
touch the punishment for the guilty.
– It would have been better if the
women did not bear children.

23. Two criminals and crucifixion
• 32 Now two others, both
criminals, were led away with
him to be executed. 33 When
they came to the place called
the Skull, they crucified him
and the criminals there, one on
his right, the other on his left.
Jesus’ Prayer
• 34 (Then Jesus said, "Father,
forgive them, they know not
what they do.")
• In v.32, two criminals are led
away, to be executed with
Jesus.
• In v.33, they crucify Jesus and
the two criminals.
• In v.34, Jesus prays for the
forgiveness of his crucifiers.
– The first of the Seven Last
Words of Jesus comes from
Luke.

24. Further insults, from all
quarters
• 34b They divided his garments
by casting lots. 35 The people
stood by and watched; the
rulers, meanwhile, sneered at
him and said, "He saved
others, let him save himself if
he is the chosen one, the
Messiah of God." 36 Even the
soldiers jeered at him. As they
approached to offer him wine
37 they called out, "If you are
King of the Jews, save
yourself." 38 Above him there
was an inscription that read,
"This is the King of the Jews."
39 Now one of the criminals
hanging there reviled Jesus,
saying, "Are you not the
Messiah? Save yourself and
us."
• Other things done to Jesus
as he hangs on the cross:
– They divide his garments.
V.34b
– The rulers sneer at him. V.35
– The soldiers jeer at him. V.36
– They dare him to save himself.
V.37
– They inscribe “King of the
Jews.” v.38
– One of the criminals revile him.
V.39
• To all these, it is easy to
respond, but Jesus chooses
not to.
• He is focused on doing
God’s will.
• It is time to die. There is no
escaping even if it is
possible.

25. The good thief, positive on Jesus
• 40 The other, however, rebuking him,
said in reply, "Have you no fear of
God, for you are subject to the same
condemnation? 41 And indeed, we
have been condemned justly, for the
sentence we received corresponds to
our crimes, but this man has done
nothing criminal." 42 Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come
into your kingdom."
The promise
• 43 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to
you, today you will be with me in
Paradise.“
The death of Jesus
• 44 It was now about noon and
darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon 45
because of an eclipse of the sun. Then
the veil of the temple was torn down
the middle. 46 Jesus cried out in a
loud voice, "Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit"; and when he had
said this he breathed his last.
• In v.40, the other criminal
shows sympathy with Jesus.
• In v.41, he says Jesus is
innocent. He does not deserve
to die.
• In v.42, he expresses his belief
in Jesus to which Jesus
responds positively. V.43
• It is the second of the Last
Word of Jesus, in the
devotional practice of Good
Friday.
• Vv.44-45 situate the death of
Jesus.
– Darkness from noon to 3 PM,
due to eclipse
– Veil of the Temple torn down.
• In v.46, Jesus cries with a loud
voice, quotes Psalm 31, 4 and
dies.

26. The centurion, good man; people,
repented
• 47 The centurion who witnessed
what had happened glorified God
and said, "This man was innocent
beyond doubt." 48 When all the
people who had gathered for this
spectacle saw what had
happened, they returned home
beating their breasts; 49 but all
his acquaintances stood at a
distance, including the women
who had followed him from Galilee
and saw these events.
• After the death of Jesus, there is
no more taunting. Instead, Luke
presents now the other side, the
fruit of his sufferings and death:
• In v.47, the centurion (military officer
in charge of 100 soldiers), makes a
correct conclusion after witnessing
everything.
• In v.48, the people who witnessed
all that had happened go home
repentant.
• In v.49, Jesus’ friends and women
disciples from Galilee remain at a
distance.
• They too see the events.
• The events (the totality of what
happened to Jesus) make them
realize that Jesus indeed comes
from God.

27. Reflections on the passion narrative
• There was no due process, there was no fair trial on
Jesus.
• Jesus was doomed to die because of false accusations;
he did not defend himself.
• Herod and Pilate were hesitant to condemn Jesus. They
saw no crime committed by him.
• Yet, the voice of the chief priests, rulers and the people
became louder and Pilate gave in.
• An innocent man can be easily victimized by those who
noisily disagree.

28. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading talks about the suffering servant of the
Lord. He is submissive to his oppressors.
• The psalm is the prayer of the suffering servant.
• The second reading talks about Jesus’ submission to the
will of his Father (to become a human being and to die on the cross).
• The gospel reading demonstrates how Jesus concretely
submits himself to unfair trial, unfair people and unfair
system.

29. How to develop your homily and sharing
• The homily must be short, because the gospel reading is very
long. Give time for people to reflect. You may develop the
theme of submission (obedience) to the will of God.
• The way to glory is submission to the will of God; there is
no other way.
• Unfortunately, this world refuses to submit to God’s way;
because it offers another kind of glory (much money,
prestige and power) which cannot be attained by
submission, but by deceit and manipulation.

30. • To be able to appreciate the theme, one must be fully
converted to Jesus.
• Paul has experienced it and was willing to undergo the
same.
• The apostles chose the path of martyrdom. The saints,
who came later, taught perseverance in suffering.
• The suffering servant in the Old Testament is a good
example of what is to be submissive. Submission is faith
at work.
• Actively resisting makes the oppressor more determined
to do his foolishness.

31. • In order not to repeat the same mistakes, the
faithful must be reminded that they should not
be oppressive, unjust, violent, and should not
cause pain to others.
• No sorrow or sickness can justify inflicting pain
on our caregivers, loved ones, colleagues and
our servants.
• Let us not use ignorant /naive authorities to
condemn the innocent. Let us not bully them.

32. • All those uncharitable words and actions and
unnecessary side comments should be avoided
by Christians at all times.
• We should not identify ourselves with
– the chief priests and scribes who did not submit
themselves to Jesus
– Herod and Pilate who submitted themselves to the
wrong persons
– the people who submitted themselves to the noisy
minority (authority). Their submission to Jesus at the
triumphal entry was short lived.

33. • We should identify ourselves with
– the women disciples who stood by Jesus.
– the disciples who saw meaning in the events,
and who became repentant.
– the centurion who acknowledged Jesus as the
Son of God.
• They all submitted themselves to Jesus.

34. • The eucharist is a sacrament of submission to
God’s will and our loyalty to him no matter what.
• In the eucharist, we share in the passion and
death of our Lord.
• In the eucharist, we give meaning to our own
pains and deaths.
• The eucharist gives us strength to endure more
sufferings and submit to God’s mysterious plan.

35. Our Context of Sin and Grace
• Hostile
• Judgmental
• Rash judgment
• Too sure of oneself
• False accusation
• Manipulation
• Retaliation
• Vindictive
• Bullying
• Unwilling to suffer and
sacrifice (mahinang klaseng
pagkatao)
• Supreme sacrifice
• Martyrdom
• Quietly enduring pains
• Submission, not fighting
back, if it is time to give oneself
totally
• Obedience to God

36. Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
• Paano Namin Masasabi
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICZUOf_jNo
• Ang Diyos ay Pag-ibig
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkYlwrj7JwU
• I love you all
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxaP-9mLXCE
• Five Wounds (For Good Friday)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuTSQqai0-0

37. • Dear brothers and sisters,
• We come to live more our faith when we
suffer like Christ.
•
• Fr. Cielo