For this Palm Sunday my colleague told the Passion according to St. Mark, which he had memorized. It was very moving to “hear” the Passion in this way, rather than simply hearing it read.
What struck me most, however, was a line from the Gospel of Matthew (27:24): “So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.'” This is the line in the Passion narrative that settled in my heart and mind as I washed my hands before presiding at the Eucharist.
Even as I prepare to life the cup and the host, my hands are indeed stained with the Blood of Christ.