Church of the
Annunciation

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John use words to paint a portrait of Jesus. The evangelists are faithful in describing the person and mission of Jesus but they, like every artist, highlight features that are especially meaningful to them and to the recipients of the Gospel. Today, we proclaim the passion narrative found in the Gospel according to St. Luke. We hear Jesus continuing his public ministry even in the last hours of his life. Jesus prays and heals in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem on the way to the cross. On the cross, Jesus forgives. One of the criminals crucified with Jesus, addresses Jesus by using just his first name without a title – the only place in the Gospels were this occurs. He says simply: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds: “Amen. I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” May we pray like the forgiven criminal directly and personally to Jesus. As St. Paul tells us in the 2^nd reading -- whose name every knee must bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.