To read Luke’s complete passion account 22.14 — 23.56, use a New American Bible or Holy Week missalette.
NARRATOR 1: Two others who were criminals were led along with Jesus to be crucified. When they came to Skull Place, they crucified him there and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left.
NARRATOR 2: People stood there watching, and the leaders kept jeering at Jesus.
LEADERS: He saved others; let him save himself if he is the messiah of God, the chosen one.
NARRATOR 1: The soldiers also made fun of him, coming forward to offer him their sour wine.
SOLDIERS: If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.
NARRATOR 2: There was an inscription over his head: “This is the king of the Jews.”
NARRATOR 1: One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him.
CRIMINAL 1: Aren’t you the messiah? Then save yourself and us.
CRIMINAL 2: Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We deserve this, after all. We are only paying the price for what we’ve done, but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you enter into your reign.
JESUS: I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise.
NARRATOR 2: At midday darkness came over the whole land until midafternoon with an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two. Jesus uttered a loud cry.
JESUS: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
NARRATOR 1: After he said this, he died.
NARRATOR 2: The centurion, upon seeing what had happened, gave glory to God.
CENTURION: Surely this was an innocent man.
NARRATOR 1: When the crowd which had assembled for this spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.
NARRATOR 2: His acquaintances and the women who had accompanied him from Galilee were standing at a distance watching everything.
Luke 23.32-49
Sunday Readings: Luke 19.28-40, Isaiah 50.4-7; Philippians 2.6-11; Luke 22.14—23.56