Memorial Bible reading: (Events on Nisan 13 and 14)

Matthew 26:17-56; Luke 22:7-13

17On the first day of the unfermented cakes the disciples came up to Jesus, saying: “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the passover?” 18He said: “Go into the city to So-and-so and say to him, The Teacher says, ‘My appointed time is near; I will celebrate the passover with my disciples at your home.’” 19And the disciples did as Jesus ordered them, and they got things ready for the passover.

20When, now, it had become evening, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21While they were eating, he said: “Truly I say to YOU, One of YOU will betray me.” 22Being very much grieved at this, they commenced each and every one to say to him: “Lord, it is not I, is it?” 23In reply he said: “He that dips his hand with me in the bowl is the one that will betray me. 24True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been finer for him if that man had not been born.” 25By way of reply Judas, who was about to betray him, said: “It is not I, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him: “You yourself said [it].”

26As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf and, after saying a blessing, he broke it and, giving it to the disciples, he said: “TAKE, eat. This means my body.” 27Also, he took a cup and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: “Drink out of it, all of YOU; 28for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. 29But I tell YOU, I will by no means drink henceforth any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with YOU in the kingdom of my Father.” 30Finally, after singing praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to them: “All of YOU will be stumbled in connection with me on this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered about.’ 32But after I have been raised up, I will go ahead of YOU into Gal´i·lee.” 33But Peter, in answer, said to him: “Although all the others are stumbled in connection with you, never will I be stumbled!” 34Jesus said to him: “Truly I say to you, On this night, before a cock crows, you will disown me three times.” 35Peter said to him: “Even if I should have to die with you, I will by no means disown you.” All the other disciples also said the same thing.

36Then Jesus came with them to the spot called Geth·sem´a·ne, and he said to the disciples: “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” 37And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zeb´e·dee, he started to be grieved and to be sorely troubled. 38Then he said to them: “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me.” 39And going a little way forward, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

40And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter: “Could YOU men not so much as watch one hour with me? 41Keep on the watch and pray continually, that YOU may not enter into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again, for the second time, he went off and prayed, saying: “My Father, if it is not possible for this to pass away except I drink it, let your will take place.” 43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So leaving them, he again went off and prayed for the third time, saying once more the same word. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them: “At such a time as this YOU are sleeping and taking YOUR rest! Look! The hour has drawn near for the Son of man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” 47And while he was yet speaking, look! Judas, one of the twelve, came and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and older men of the people.
48Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, this is he; take him into custody.” 49And going straight up to Jesus he said: “Good day, Rabbi!” and kissed him very tenderly. 50But Jesus said to him: “Fellow, for what purpose are you present?” Then they came forward and laid hands on Jesus and took him into custody. 51But, look! one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and took off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than twelve legions of angels? 54In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must take place this way?” 55In that hour Jesus said to the crowds: “Have YOU come out with swords and clubs as against a robber to arrest me? Day after day I used to sit in the temple teaching, and yet YOU did not take me into custody. 56But all this has taken place for the scriptures of the prophets to be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples abandoned him and fled.

7The day of the unfermented cakes now arrived, on which the passover [victim] must be sacrificed; 8and he dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” 9They said to him: “Where do you want us to get [it] ready?” 10He said to them: “Look! When YOU enter into the city a man carrying an earthenware vessel of water will meet YOU. Follow him into the house into which he enters. 11And YOU must say to the landlord of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you: “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the passover with my disciples?”’ 12And that [man] will show YOU a large upper room furnished. Get [it] ready there.” 13So they departed and found it just as he had said to them, and they got the passover ready.

Memorial Date After Sundown Sunday, April 17, 2011