I have a hard time watching “The Passion.”  I still have not seen the whole movie from beginning to end. Furthermore, at Easter time, I always cry during Easter pageants. The thought of such violence and cruelty, especially towards someone so righteous, is so unsettling . . . as it SHOULD be.

Jesus was a man.  He lived on Earth, with actual people.  He experienced the same joys as we did, I am sure.  He had friends and family whom he loved and who loved him.  He walked, worked, hugged, smiled, laughed, and maybe even joked around. Furthermore, since he was human, he also felt sadness, anger, annoyance, and pain.  He cried.  He hurt. He WAS human.  To know that we, his fellow brothers and sisters, killed him is very hard to live with that guilt.

For this week, we read about Jesus’ crucifixion and, better yet, his resurrection.  When we all began this bible study of Matthew’s Gospel, we knew how the story ends.  However, for me, it was well worth reading and studying it, if not just for the ending:  JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US!  For those of us who receive Holy Communion, we are reminded of this every time we consume the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  (see http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=36838)

For this week, please read Matthew 27:1-28:20.  Below are a few questions I have written. Please reflect on these as well as those found in your study guide.  Comments are welcomed on the Week 14 page, as well as on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.

I hope everyone enjoyed this bible study.  Please stay tuned for our next study coming soon, details to follow.

May Christ be with you and in your heart always!

Week 14 Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• Could you remain quiet while other accuse you? (see Matthew 27:11-14)
• How does it make you feel, and what comes to mind, when you read about Jesus’ crucifixion and death in Matthew 27:27-56?
• How does it make you feel, and what comes to mind, when you read about Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28:1-10?
• What task is Jesus giving to you in the last part of the Gospel According to Matthew, 28:18-20?
• In reading Matthew 28:20, how does it make you feel?  What reminds you of Jesus’ presence?
• Additional Questions found in your study guide or in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew