Q: I am aware that the Passion Narrative is proclaimed at both the Mass on Palm Sunday (from the Gospel of Matthew in Year A, the Gospel of Mark in Year B, and the Gospel of Luke in Year C) and at the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (which is always from the Gospel of John). However, I am curious as to why the Passion Narrative on Good Friday is always taken from the Gospel of John, rather than from one of the other Gospels. For instance, this year is Year C, meaning the Passion from the Gospel of Luke is proclaimed on Palm Sunday, but on Good Friday, we will hear the Passion from the Gospel of John, rather than the accounts from Matthew or Mark.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could shed some light on this. Please respond at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time.
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A: Proclaiming the Passion of John on Good Friday is one of the oldest constant traditions in the history of the Catholic Church. Writing in the fourth century, Egeria testified that all four Passion accounts were read in Jerusalem during the day on Good Friday, and John’s was assigned to the three o’clock hour, the time of Jesus’ death. One of the earliest listings of readings for the entire liturgical year comes from the seventh century, and it cites on Good Friday exactly the verses we use today: John 18:1–19:42.
For several centuries, Matthew was proclaimed every year on Palm Sunday, Mark on Tuesday of Holy week, and Luke on Wednesday. The revised lectionary ensures that more people will hear all four gospels over the course of three years. You can find more in my book Glory in the Cross.