As we celebrate Palm Sunday we begin our journey to the cross and, in this week's gospel, we listen to the narrative of the Passion. The Passion narrative is very aptly named. The emotion and power of this story is nothing short of passionate. The gospel writer’s style of fast paced, unadorned factual narrative is a very effective way of helping the reader/listener to engage in the story. It is, after all, the first half of the most important Christian story – finished off by the resurrection that is celebrated on Easter Sunday. It is easy to see why this stark, narrative style was embellished and expanded upon by the later gospel writers and yet it is perhaps the more passionate for the lack of explanation and theologising. 

As Jesus dies, a centurion standing by utters the inspired words, ‘In truth, this man was a son of God.’ Famously played by John Wayne in the movie, The Greatest Story Ever Told, the centurion is the voice of the gentile – the non-Jew – representing all those throughout the world who will recognise the truth of Jesus’ life and purpose.

This gospel has raised many questions over the years. You might ask yourself: Why is the detailed retelling of this Passion narrative such an important part of the Christian tradition? What emotions might Jesus have been feeling when he prayed at Gethsemane? Why is it important that we continue to ‘tell the story’ of the Passion?