The suffering and death of Jesus
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During the season of Lent: season of preparation
for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter
 We begin to prepare for our conversion away from sin
in order to be born into new life
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Holy Week: begins with Palm Sunday Jesus’
entry into Jerusalem for the Passover feast
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Triduum: Three Holy Days: holiest days of our
liturgical year that remember the passion,
death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus
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High priest, chief elders (Sanhedrin,
Caiaphas) want Jesus to be convicted out of
fear they may lose their power by the hands
of the Roman Empire
 Fearful that the Romans would see Jesus as the
leader of a revolt
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Judas agrees to bring the chief elders soldiers
to Jesus in exchange for 30 silver pieces
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In preparation for the Passover feast, Jesus
tells his disciples to go and prepare the guest
room for The Last Supper (The Lord’s Supper)
At the Passover meal, Jesus proclaims that he
will be betrayed (Judas Iscariot) and denied
three times before morning (Peter)
It is at the Passover meal that Jesus gives
instructions of how we are to participate in
his loving memory by taking of the bread
(body) and wine (blood)  our Eucharist
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Washing the Disciples Feet:
 Peter is confused why Jesus would wash his feet
 Jesus answers “I have given you a model to follow,
so that I have done for you, you should also do.
Amen, Amen I say to you, no slave is greater than
the one who sent him.”
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The New Commandment=law of love “love
one another…as I have loved you, so you also
should love one another”
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After the Passover meal, Jesus and his
disciples leave for Mount Olives where Jesus
takes a moment to pray (Agony in the
Garden) in Gethsemane
Prays to Abba=Father
None of the disciples stay awake with Jesus
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss (designated
signal for the crowd to arrest Jesus)
Peter cuts off the servant’s ear
Disciples flee from the scene after Jesus is
taken away
Many came forward to give false testimony
against Jesus Jesus said he would tear down
the Temple and rebuild it in three days
 Peter sat at a distance watching the trial but did
not come forward but did deny him three times
before morning
 It was finally when asked if Jesus was the
Messiah he answered “I am”
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 This was deemed blasphemy: hatred or defiance
against God
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Soon after Judas hangs himself out of regret for
his betrayal
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The Sanhedrin could not carry out the
punishment for blasphemy (crucifixion) so they
brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate to have him
convicted of treason: insubordination and
claiming to be a king
Pontius Pilate knew that the high priest and
chief elders were jealous of Jesus and did not
find Jesus guilty
 Sent Jesus to King Herod because of his jurisdiction
since Jesus is a Galilean
King Herod did not convict Jesus but returned
with him to Pontius Pilate
 In custom of the Passover season, Pilate told the
crowd he would release a prisoner (Barabbas or
Jesus)  the crowd chose Barabbas, a murderer
 Pilate has Jesus scourged 39 times, still not
found guilty the high priests continued stating
Jesus needed to be crucified
 When Pilate asked Jesus if he is the King of the
Jews, he replied “My kingdom is not of this
world”
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 The two found Jesus guilty of treason
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Simon a Cyrenian helped Jesus carry his cross
to Golgotha (Place of the Skull)
The women (Mary his mother, Mary
Magdalene, Mary mother of James and
Joseph) were present and Jesus entrusted his
mother to the disciple John
9 am Jesus was crucified
From noon to 3pm darkness came over the
land and 3pm is the reported time of Jesus’
death alongside two criminals
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Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body for
burial because it was near the Sabbath
Wrapped Jesus in clean linen and laid in the
tomb
Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James
and Joseph remained facing the tomb
A guard was sent to protect the tomb