On Jesus taken from Annas to the priest Caiaphas
On Jesus taken from Annas to the priest Caiaphas
LORD JESUS CHRIST, Priest and Eternal High Priest, I bless and thank you for having been led so shamefully from the house of Annas to that of the high priest Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders had already gathered to take cruel counsel against you. They were all filled with a pathetic joy when they saw you brought in bound before them. On the previous day they desired to seize you but were unable, for your hour had not yet come.
But this is their hour and that of the power of darkness, permitted by God so that they might give vent to their hatred—so long in the making—and openly find an outlet for their deep-rooted malice. All this, so that it be unto your glory, for the salvation of believers and for the eternal damnation of unbelievers as well.
I praise and glorify you, revered Jesus, for standing pitifully before the high priest and the elders of the people, as they brazenly stared upon your amiable face. False witnesses brought accusations against you; you were minutely interrogated by the high priest, you were adjured to tell the truth, calumniated as one guilty of blasphemy, and in the end, and in a loud voice, they all condemned you to death.
I praise and honor you, most noble Jesus, for every insult and lie they hurled against you and for your humble demeanor, which you manifested in your long silence, when bombarded by the many vicious words coming from your accusers. To these you did not respond with grumbling or complaint, but you gave us an example of supreme meekness.
Devout lover of Christ, look with all seriousness on how brightly the excellence of Jesus’ patient suffering emanates from him, and witness the offensive disparagements that he, whom the heavenly hosts praise, must endure.
In return for his truthful response, he is accused of blasphemy. But all who say this of Christ are themselves blasphemers and are guilty of a monstrous crime. It is because they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God that they, in their insanity, indulge in so many iniquitous acts against him. By enduring these attacks in silence and by allowing himself to be trodden under foot by such ungodly men, Christ actually conquers and triumphs.
Therefore, faithful soul, stop complaining about reproaches directed against you and in return do not seek vengeance on your enemies. Rather, bow your head and endure the burden of these temporal trials and seek not to prosper, while Christ chose contempt.
Proud one, blush for your honors, high positions, splendor, and fine clothing, for Christ was poor to the extreme. It is shameful for you to seek favor among men and to desire earthly pleasures, when Christ preferred the contrary.
O adorable Jesus, most meek and kind, grant me, miserable sinner, the desired grace of your favor and teach me by your glowing example not to fear the intimidation or insults of the wicked, nor to be disturbed by false accusations, but willingly to ask pardon for their offences against me. Bowing my head in all humility before you and my superiors, may I receive the gifts of your goodness in greater abundance and return greater thanks to you for graces already received.