The Passion is played out on Good Friday last year in the Basque town of Balmaseda, Spain.

In the garden, Jesus chooses forgiveness

Several years ago, Mel Gibson produced and directed a movie which enjoyed a spectacular popularity. Entitled The Passion of the Christ, the movie depicts Jesus’ paschal journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on Golgotha, but with a very heavy emphasis on his physical suffering. The movie shows in graphic detail what someone who was being crucified might have had to endure in terms of being physically beaten, tortured and humiliated.

Benjamin West's The Angel at the Tomb of Christ

Christ is key to human freedom

Resurrection of the Lord — Easter Sunday — (Year B) April 5 (Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18)

One thing was abundantly clear to the first followers of Jesus after the resurrection: it would not be ‘business as usual.’ The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not intended to merely add one more religion to the world’s diverse spiritual traditions, but to herald a new stage in humanity’s spiritual evolution.

Pope Francis hands his speech to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples, Italy, after deciding to speak off the cuff during a meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples March 21.

No ifs, ands or buts: Christians must live Christ's way, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Don't be "halfway Christians," who accept Christ, but then start looking for excuses and stammering, "yes, but ..." when it is time to follow his way, Pope Francis said at a morning Mass.

Nuns greet Pope Francis during his meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Nuns mob Pope before blood of Naples' patron saint miraculously liquefies

VATICAN CITY - After Pope Francis was mobbed by a group of cloistered nuns, and at the end of a spontaneity-filled meeting with priests, seminarians and religious in the cathedral of Naples, a vial of dried blood of the city's patron saint appeared to miraculously liquefy.

Pope Francis greets the crowd after celebrating Mass in Piazza Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Pope preaches hope to Naples' unemployed, immigrants, prisoners

VATICAN CITY - Hope is the first act of resistance to evil, Pope Francis told the people of Naples as he pleaded for respect for the dignity of immigrants, jobs for the unemployed and the conversion of the city's notorious mafia families.

Pope Francis goes to confession during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During the service the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

In Holy Year, Pope wants to share experience of mercy he had as teen

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' decision to convoke a special Holy Year of Mercy has its roots in the event that led a teenage Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the priesthood.

A man joins in chanting for the repeal of the death penalty in Maryland in January 2013. Maryland's death penalty was abolished in the same year May 2, signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Pope Francis calls death penalty 'unacceptable,' urges abolition

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis came out squarely against the death penalty once again, calling it "unacceptable" regardless of the seriousness of the crime of the condemned.

Pope Francis accepted the Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien’s decision to renounce duties as a cardinal. While O’Brien can still keep the title of cardinal, he won’t be a papal advisor or be an elector of a future pope. He will retain the roles as a priest and retired bishop, according to the Vatican Press office.

Pope accepts cardinal's decision to renounce duties, rights of office

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis accepted Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien's decision to renounce all "duties and privileges" associated with being a cardinal.

Andrea Mantegna's Agony in the Garden, circa 1460, depicts Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane

Humble, loving servant can’t lose

Passion (Palm) Sunday (Year B) March 29 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47)

Receiving instruction directly from God is not a ticket to an easy or conflict-free life. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah is a case in point. This Servant was most likely an unknown prophetic figure in the community of Israelite exiles in mid-sixth century B.C. Babylon. He must have been an exceptional individual, since he was the source of comfort and encouragement for so many.

Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner whose story is told in the film Chariots of Fire, said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”

God takes pleasure when we use the talents He has given

For the past six months, while undergoing treatment for cancer, I was working on a reduced schedule. The medical treatments, while somewhat debilitating, left me still enough health and energy to carry on the administrative duties in my present ministry, but they didn’t allow me any extra energy to teach classes or to offer any lectures, workshops or retreats at outside venues, something I normally do. I joked with my family and friends that I was “under house arrest.” But I was so grateful for the energy that I still had that being unable to teach and give lectures was not deemed a sacrifice. I was focused on staying healthy, and the health that I was given was appreciated as a great grace.

"The Gentiles Ask to See Jesus" by James Tissot (painted sometime between 1886-1894)

The transforming light of Christ’s face

The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B) invites us to consider John’s Gospel story from Chapter 12 — a fitting climax to Jesus’ public ministry. It is the last official act before the events of His passion next Sunday.

Page 237 of 369