Lead in: One tradition has it that the first thing put to writing in the Gospels were the
accounts of Jesus’ passion and death. Working backwards in time, the Gospels developed as
the various stories were pieced together, giving us a more complete picture of who Jesus is. The account then of Jesus’ final hours that describe his passion and death speak to the same love that he exuded throughout his entire ministry and life.
Prompt: As you hear the story of the passion and death of Jesus in Mark, what parts have special meaning for you? Why do you think those parts speak so personally to you?
Lead in: Mary the Mother of Jesus had the courage and the internal strength to stand at the foot of the cross while she watched her son die, suffering the anguish of a cruel death. She was there until the bitter end. She did it all out of love for her Son.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you had to watch someone you love go through the suffering and pain that comes with an illness or death. How was that for you? Like Mary did with her Son Jesus, what gave you the strength to stay with them when it might have been easier to run away from their suffering?
Lead in: As Jesus struggled to carry his cross up the hill to be crucified, amid the jeering crowd there were those who did what they could to offer comfort to Jesus. Veroncia wiped the blood-streaked face of Jesus. Simon helped Jesus carry his cross. Jospeh of Arimathea offered space to bury the dead body of Jesus. Their kindness reminds us that in the midst of suffering we can look for ways to be there for those who suffer.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you were hurting or dealing with an illness. Who was it that was there for you? How was that for you? Did that change you in anyway? If so, how?
Prompt: Who is it that you know who is hurting? If you were to do something to comfort them in their suffering, what would that be?
Lead in: Throughout the ordeal of her Son’s passion and death, Mary the Mother of Jesus kept her eyes fixed on Jesus her Son. Though painful to watch him suffer when their eyes met, it helped her feel all the more connected to her Son.
Prompt: Reflect on a challenging time when keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus helped you feel all the more connected to him and gave you the strength to keep going.
