Scripture in Lent: Acts 13:26-30

Sunday evening of Holy Week continues the tilt in readings away from the focus on people and their need to repent and reform and toward the Paschal Mystery.

“My (sisters and) brothers,
it was to us
that this message of salvation
was sent forth.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem
and their leaders
failed to recognize him,
and in condemning him
they fulfilled the words of the prophets
which we read sabbath after sabbath.
Even though they found no charge against him
which deserved death,
they begged Pilate to have him executed.
Once they had thus brought about
all that had been written of him,
they took him down from the tree
and laid him in a tomb.
Yet God raised him from the dead.

One doesn’t often encounter the Acts of the Apostles during Lent. But here it is. It is the centerpiece of the first recorded public preaching (Acts 13:13-43) of Saint Paul. Scholars compare it to Peter’s “coming out” sermon on Pentecost which we can read in Acts 2.

Does Jesus’ betrayal seem a raw wound? After the echoes of the long Passion account have died, and the palms of our liturgical celebrations begin to dry and turn crisp, we get a Sunday reminder: Jesus rose. For the early disciples, it seemed that their hope is written off. Yet the Father acted: the Son was raised.

Holy Week is not a time for play-acting, for pretending the Passion is taking place around us, and we are meant to copy the feelings of disciples and followers bereft. We are meant to hold it all in our hearts. Whenever we celebrate liturgy, we keep in mind the whole story, as we know it today. We anticipate a fulfillment of our loyalty to and love for Jesus the Savior.