Passion Sunday

This Sunday is known as Passion Sunday,  the first Sunday of the two-week  mini-season within Lent of Passiontide. Next week will be Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.  Here is a little history on Passion Sunday

 

 I've added an homily of John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews appointed for this Sunday. As I've pointed out before, our lectionary is in most cases the same as that of the Early Church. In most instances you read the same bible passages in the Order's propers that were read in the 5th Century and before. Note in this excerpt from Chrysostom's homily today, that as he preaches on this passage from Hebrews, he reminds all that it is delivered in the season of Lent. In thinking on his words below and his admonishment to his cure, I am put in mind of the words and the charge of Paul to worship God with dignity and solemnity, and of this verse from Psalm 96, .

 

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, let the whole earth stand in awe of him

 

 

Passion Sunday
John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews
Passion Sunday Home

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Gregory, Bishop of Rome [600 AD]. The people here was familiain Latin. "Passion" had its roots in Medieval times

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews ix. 11
Homily of Chrysostom on the Hebrews

but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

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John Chrysostom
Extract of Homily XV
Hebrews ix
 

Everywhere the devil leads the dance, he has entered into all, is master of all. Christ is dishonored, is thrust aside; the Church is made no account of. Do ye not hear Paul saying, Let "filthiness and foolish talking and jesting" ( Eph. v. 4 ) be put away from you? He places "jesting" along with "filthiness," and dost thou laugh? What is "foolish talking"? that which has nothing profitable. And dost thou, a solitary, laugh at all and relax thy countenance? thou that art crucified? thou that art a mourner? tell me, dost thou laugh? Where dost thou hear of Christ doing this? Nowhere: but that He was sad indeed oftentimes. For even when He looked on Jerusalem, He wept; and when He thought on the Traitor He was troubled; and when He was about to raise Lazarus, He wept; and dost thou laugh? If he who grieves not over the sins of others deserves to be accused, of what consideration will he be worthy, who is without sorrow for his own sins, yea laughs at them? This is the season of grief and tribulation, of bruising and bringing matter [the body], of conflicts and sweatings, and dost thou laugh? Dost not thou see how Sarah was rebuked? dost thou not hear Christ saying, "Woe to them that laugh, for they shall weep"? ( Luke vi. 25 .) Thou chantest these things every day, for, tell me, what dost thou say? "I have laughed?" By no means; but what? "I labored in my groaning." ( Ps. vi. 6 .)
 

read it all at the link above.

 

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