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Sunday, April 6, 2008: (THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER) Readings for today: Acts 2:14, 22-33 / 1 Peter 1:17-21 / Luke 24:13-35
Reading I - Acts 2:14, 22-23
- 14
- 5 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
- 22
- You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
- 23
- This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
- 24
- But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
- 25
- For David says of him: 'I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
- 26
- Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
- 27
- because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
- 28
- You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
- 29
- My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
- 30
- But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
- 31
- he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption.
- 32
- God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.
- 33
- Exalted at the right hand of God, 6 he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear.
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Reading II - 1 Peter 1:17-21
- 17
- Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
- 18
- realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold
- 19
- but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 9
- 20
- He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you,
- 21
- who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Gospel - Luke 24:13-35
- 13
- 5 6 Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
- 14
- and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
- 15
- And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
- 16
- 7 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
- 17
- He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast.
- 18
- One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?"
- 19
- And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
- 20
- how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.
- 21
- But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.
- 22
- Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning
- 23
- and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.
- 24
- Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."
- 25
- And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
- 26
- Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer 8 these things and enter into his glory?"
- 27
- Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.
- 28
- As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
- 29
- But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
- 30
- And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
- 31
- With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
- 32
- Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"
- 33
- So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them
- 34
- who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
- 35
- Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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I think the important thing to take from the readings and Gospel today is that Jesus is alive, still, even today. Do we ever consider the possibility that Jesus may have interacted with us without us ever knowing? Almighty God raised him from the dead and he will never die again.
Therefore, since Jesus is alive, and has interacted with his disciples even after his death and resurrection (without them realizing it was him until he said a blessing over the food and broke the bread), is it not possible that Jesus might do the same with us, without our ever recognizing him?
With that thought, treat everyone as if they were Jesus, with reverence, respect, and an open heart and mind.
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[[[[[From the SFDS Bulletin:
STEWARDSHIP IS WHAT I DO AFTER I SAY: "I BELIEVE."
"The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with Jesus all day long, but it was not until they offered Him hospitality and He blessed and broke the bread that they recognized Him. Simple acts of loving kindness still reveal the presence of God in our midst."
Weekly Reflections- "In a time when our country is so passionately divided that people are prone to dismissing the views of others as ignorant or even evil, the disciples journey to Emmaus may have a message fro us today. When the 'stranger' joins them they are appalled that he does not know what has been going on but they do not turn away from him. They explain their views of recent events and, perhaps more importantly, they listen to what the stranger has to say. Because of their openness, they see things in a new light. How open are you to listening to the views of others and considering their opinions? Can you step back from rhetoric that makes objective discussion impossible? Are you willing to take a look at the facts or do you just rely on your feelings?"]]]]]
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Don't like reading the Bible? Try reading the Lego Bible (with Lego characters depicting the scriptures). It's a fun way to learn. As my friend (who sent me this link) put it, "The world's largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible"
http://www.thebricktestament.com/
Here's what their home page looks like:
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Sunday, March 30, 2008: (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) Readings for today: Acts 2:42-47 / 1 Peter 1:3-9 / John 20:19-31
Reading I - Acts 2:42-47
- 42
- 8 They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
- 43
- Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
- 44
- All who believed were together and had all things in common;
- 45
- they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need.
- 46
- Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
- 47
- praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading II - 1 Peter 1:3-9
- 3
- 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- 4
- to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you
- 5
- who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
- 6
- 4 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials,
- 7
- so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 8
- Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
- 9
- as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.
Gospel - John 20:19-31
- 19
- 11 12 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
- 20
- When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 13 The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
- 21
- 14 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
- 22
- 15 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit.
- 23
- 16 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
- 24
- Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
- 25
- So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
- 26
- Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
- 27
- Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
- 28
- 17 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
- 29
- 18 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
- 30
- 19 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book.
- 31
- But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
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[[[ From the SFDS Bulletin - STEWARDSHIP IS WHAT I DO AFTER I SAY: "I BELIEVE."
Jesus meets the need of each disciple. To the fearful in the upper room, He speaks words of peace. To doubting Thomas, He provides the tangible proof of His resurrection. What do I need to become His disciple? What do I have to share that might meet someone else's need?]]]
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I like how the priest ended his homily today. He was talking about how important it is to interact with others to develop our faith vs. isolating ourselves when the times get rough in order to deal with matters of life. And he told this story:
"There once was a man who went to church regularly for many years. He was a quiet man, and lived much of his life alone. He lived in a cold part of the country, and one day he stopped going to mass. After a few weeks, the Pastor of the church came to the man's house to pay him a visit.
The man spoke no words, but kindly invited the Pastor into his home, where he had a nice fire on in the fireplace. The Pastor sat down in front of the fire next to the man, and said nothing.
For some time the Pastor observed and contemplated the dancing of the fire around the logs and embers. After a while, he took a burning branch out of the fire carefully, so as not to burn himself, and set the flaming branch apart from the fire. Not long after the branch's flame grew dimmer, and soon became a glowing ember, and soon showed no signs of heat.
When the Pastor decide it was time to go, since the man had not spoken a word to this point, the Pastor took the extinguished branch and put it back into the fire with the logs and embers. Quickly, the branch glowed red and caught fire. With that, he got up to leave.
The man of the house walked the Pastor to the door and said, "Pastor, thank you for the fiery sermon."
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Sunday, March 23, 2008: (EASTER SUNDAY) Readings for today: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Colossians 3:1-4 / John 20:1-9
Reading I - Acts 10:34a, 37-43
- 34
- 12 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, 13 "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
- 37
- what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
- 38
- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 16 with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
- 39
- We are witnesses 17 of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
- 40
- This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible,
- 41
- not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
- 42
- He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 18
- 43
- To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading II - Colossians 3:1-4
- 1
- 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
- 2
- Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
- 3
- For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- 4
- When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
Gospel - John 20:1-9
- 1
- 1 2 3 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
- 2
- So she ran 4 and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."
- 3
- 5 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
- 4
- They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first;
- 5
- he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
- 6
- When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths 6 there,
- 7
- and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
- 8
- Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
- 9
- 7 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
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At Easter we celebrate the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, who was dead through crucifixion, who died as an innocent lamb sacrifice for our sins, conquered death by rising from the dead. Jesus was dead, and IS alive. Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. He is still with us, and still alive...think about that...and Jesus will never die again. Do you ever wonder how many people you've met or interacted with in your life might actually be Jesus? That's how we are to view everyone and how we are to treat everyone. How many people have we mistreated, shrugged off, ignored, felt hatred towards?
This is what we should keep in the front of our minds at all times, and strive for, because it makes us put God first, and makes us watch and correct our behaviors and interactions with others.
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[[[From SFDS Bulletin's Weekly Reflections
"As disciples, we are called to bear witness to the Good News of God's unending love for us. Talking about God, saying lots of prayers, going to church even everyday is not what it is really about. It is our actions, how we treat others, how we use what we have been given that proclaims the message. Consider the message you are proclaiming by your life - is it the Good News?
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1]]]
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Sunday, March 16, 2008: Readings for today: Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 - 27:66
Palm Sunday Celebration:
(Gospel reading, outside church, holding palms up high in honor of our king, the Lord Jesus Christ, before marching into church)
Matthew 21:1-11
- 1
- 1 When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
- 2
- saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me.
- 3
- And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once."
- 4
- 4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
- 5
- "Say to daughter Zion, 'Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"
- 6
- The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
- 7
- 5 They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them.
- 8
- 6 The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road.
- 9
- The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna 7 to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."
- 10
- And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken 8 and asked, "Who is this?"
- 11
- And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, 9 from Nazareth in Galilee."
(Reading I, once inside church)
Isaiah 50:4-7
- 4
- 3 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
- 4 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.
- 6
- 5 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.
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24)
R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Reading II
Philippians 2:6-11
- 6
- Who, 3 though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 4
- 7
- Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; 5 and found human in appearance,
- 8
- he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 6
- 9
- Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name 7 that is above every name,
- 10
- that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, 8 of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
- 11
- and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 9 to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel
Matthew 26:14 - 27:66
- 14
- Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscar iot, 7 went to the chief priests
- 15
- 8 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
- 16
- and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
- 17
- On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 9 the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
- 18
- 10 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'"
- 19
- The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
- 20
- When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.
- 21
- And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 11
- 22
- Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?"
- 23
- He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.
- 24
- 12 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."
- 25
- 13 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."
- 26
- 14 15 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."
- 27
- Then he took a cup, gave thanks, 16 and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you,
- 28
- for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
- 29
- 17 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father."
- 30
- 18 Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
- 31
- Then Jesus said to them, "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, 19 for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed';
- 32
- but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee."
- 33
- Peter said to him in reply, "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be."
- 34
- 20 Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
- 35
- Peter said to him, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise.
- 36
- 21 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, 22 and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
- 37
- He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, 23 and began to feel sorrow and distress.
- 38
- Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. 24 Remain here and keep watch with me."
- 39
- He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, 25 if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
- 40
- When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
- 41
- Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. 26 The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- 42
- 27 Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!"
- 43
- Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.
- 44
- He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
- 45
- Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
- 46
- Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand."
- 47
- While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
- 48
- His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him."
- 49
- Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" 28 and he kissed him.
- 50
- Jesus answered him, "
