Lent V, commonly called Passion Sunday- John 6, Hebrews 9

Some newer liturgical calendars call the Sunday before Easter (popularly called Palm Sunday) Passion Sunday because the Passion Gospel is read. However, some other calendars (including the 1927/28 Proposed English, the 1928 American, the 1962 Canadian, and the 2019 ACNA Books of Common Prayer) use the older popular designation of the Fifth Sunday in Lent as "Passion Sunday."

The readings in the 1928 BCP are consistent with the Passion Sunday designation. The Gospel from John 6 points to the theological conflicts that led to plots against Jesus. The Epistle from Hebrews 9:11-15 turns our thoughts to the significance of Christ's passion and death. Hebrews 9:11 speaks of Christ as "high priest of good things to come." Hebrews 9:12 adds, "... by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Comparing the self-sacrifice of Christ to the old temple sacrifices, Hebrews 9:14 exclaims, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God"! Hebrew 9:15 concludes that Christ brings "the promise of eternal inheritance."

On Palm Sunday and during Holy Week, we will spend a lot of time focusing on the details of our Lord's Passion and Death. On the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday, let us take time for some preliminary and personal reflections about why He suffered and what His sacrifice means for us.

Fifth Sunday in Lent, commonly called Passion Sunday- John 8:46-59

At various times since the Middle Ages, the Fifth Sunday in Lent has been called Passion Sunday. In nineteenth-century Anglicanism, it became common to view the last two weeks of Lent as Passiontide, a time to highlight Christ's sufferings. During the early twentieth century, Lent V was designated Passion Sunday in some revisions of the Book of Common Prayer, including the 1928 American version. 

The traditional Gospel for Lent V is St. John 8:46-59. This passage is part of an extended discussion between Jesus and His Judean opponents on many issues, including the question of who He is. This passage reflects a rising tension and points to His rejection and suffering. Much of the tension is related to a dramatic increase in Jesus' claims about His identity. 

First, in St. John 8:46, there is an assertion of Christ's innocence as He asks who can convict Him of sin. This is a unique claim which cannot be ignored. Either Jesus is without sin or His claims are false. Those who hear this claim cannot remain neutral; they must agree or disagree.

Secondly, in John 8:51, Jesus asserts that those who follow Him will never see death. His opponents sense that claiming the capacity to deliver from death makes Jesus greater than Abraham and the prophets. If He can deliver from death, He is greater than all the patriarchs and prophets; if this claim is false, He must be rejected as a madman or charlatan.

Finally, in St. John 8:58, Jesus says, "Before Abraham was, I am." This is the greatest claim possible because in the context of the Hebrew Scriptures "I AM" is a name of God. Christ's opponents are incensed at what they consider blasphemy, and so they want to stone Him. Although it is not yet His time, this is an anticipation of Jesus' suffering and death for human salvation. Jesus confronts hearers with an ultimate choice. He claims to be God come among His people and asks to be accepted in faith. He leaves no room for lukewarm human admiration.

So, how does this passage apply to those who wish to follow Jesus Christ? Throughout the discussion, people are called to believe in Him. He offers grace and calls for faith. He delivers believers from death and offers true life. He asks for an acknowledgment of His great claims. He does not leave His hearers the option of viewing Him simply as a nice guy or an interesting teacher. To believe in Him means recognizing that He is innocent and that He is greater than the greatest examples from the preceding religious tradition. Indeed, true belief in Jesus Christ means accepting Him through grace as the eternal God who has come to earth as a true man to save us from our sins.

Lent V- A Passion Sunday- Luke 20

An old name for the fifth Sunday in Lent is Passion Sunday. Although modern liturgical revision has assigned that title to the last Sunday in Lent, commonly called Palm Sunday, such a name is also appropriate for Lent V. The Gospel from St. Luke 20 is the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, and it is one of several predictions of Christ’s passion and death. God has sent His Son to give the tenants (the religious people and their leaders) another opportunity to turn from wickedness. But they will not do so. They see Jesus the Christ as a threat to be eliminated. They will not admit openly that He is the Son of God. Yet, in their hearts and souls, many of them sense His unique authority, and their rejection of Him reflects their rebellion against God the Father.

Ultimately, Christ is rejected and murdered because men refuse to acknowledge the rights of God. People offer other reasons and excuses for opposing Jesus. But by this parable, Jesus is exposing the truth. He sees through all the posturing and knows that the religious people of Jerusalem are really rebelling against God. That is the root cause of Christ’s Passion and Death. And telling the truth about it just makes His enemies all the more angry.

This historical truth has abiding personal meaning for every human being. All are called upon to acknowledge God and His Son. All are asked to repent and accept divine authority. Unfortunately, many human beings continue to behave as the wicked and rebellious tenants. In arrogance and greed, we tend to overestimate our own importance and power. We assume too much for ourselves. Clergy and laity, we forget that we are just tenants who look after the Bible, the Church, and its spiritual and moral heritage for the true owner, Almighty God. Keeping this in mind can help us turn from our self-centeredness and appreciate the Passion more deeply.