On the angry shouts Away with him! and Crucify him!
On the angry shouts Away with him! and Crucify him!
LORD JESUS CHRIST, everlasting Joy of the saints, I bless and thank you for enduring that angry crowd’s loud and arrogant cry against you, as the people furiously shouted: Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!1
How intense was the rage of that miserable crowd! How inhuman the cruelty of those chief priests and Pharisees! No fear whatsoever could deter them from killing you, and no reason could restrain them from shedding your innocent blood. Though the heathen judge was disposed to show some compassion on your behalf, nevertheless, the hearts of the people were so hardened that they demanded further brutality. Pilate wanted to acquit you and looked for a way to set you free: I find no cause for death in this man.2 The crowd, however, forgetting all the good you had done among them, opposed him, crying out: If you free this man you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who makes himself a king is Caesar’s rival.3
The people concocted false charges against your humility! Never have you, either in word or deed, sought temporal honors. After the crowd had been fed with a few loaves and fishes—an extraordinary miraculous sign—they wanted to make you their king, but you immediately vanished from their midst and sought the quiet of the mountain, where you remained in secret prayer.
Nor were the people content with these lies, for worse things were to be added, namely, their insisting that the judge authorize deicide. The populace cried out: We have a law, and according to that law he must die because he has made himself the Son of God.4 Upon hearing this, the governor became frightened and asked: Who are you?5 And then: What is truth?6 Since the corrupt governor received no answer in reply, and because the crowd doggedly demanded the death sentence, he, seeking the favor of the leaders of the people, yielded to their monstrous villainy and agreed to their unjust request.
How bitterly painful it was when the news of blessed Jesus’ condemnation, Crucify him! Crucify him!7 was broadcast throughout Jerusalem. Who, among those who loved him, would not have grieved and mourned when they had heard those cries and shouts advocating that their beloved Lord Jesus be crucified! How mournful and sorrowful was the news the holy Virgin Mary received, when that people’s cruel and tumultuous demand for the Cross filled the air.
Grieve, devout servant of Jesus, and from your heart’s inner depths bring forth sorrow and repentance. Imagine with what pain the heart of the Mother of God was afflicted, when she heard that her blessed Son was to hang on the despised Cross.
He who always hears the angelic voices resounding in heaven: Holy, Holy, Holy!8 now hears the cursed tongues of the crowd clamoring against him: Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!9 Only a short time before, on the Feast of Palms, he heard the children praising him with joyful voices, now—how times have changed—their parents with depraved spirits want him crucified, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas!10
You, who love the Lord’s Passion, give serious thought to this scene. Close tightly the ears of your heart to this world’s unwelcome news, and open them to attend to the sad clamor for Jesus’ crucifixion. Faithful soul, I tell you that it would be more to your advantage to focus your mind on this matter than to contemplate the stars in the heavens. If you really love Jesus, you will not pass over this scene without a bitter sigh.
When the world is against you and casts countless insults in your direction, do not let yourself be broken up because of the harsh words and the enemy’s threats, rather remember the most patient Jesus and the curses he endured for you, and let all these other arrogant remarks fall on deaf ears. And when your good actions are interpreted as evil and many refuse to accept your word and set themselves in opposition to you, bear all this with meekness; after all, you are not more innocent than Christ, who was insulted with: Crucify, Crucify him!
Be aware in advance that as you go along your way to God, you will suffer many contradictions and God will not praise you unless, during your life’s various stages, you face trials for his sake. He himself had told his beloved friends: Blessed will you be when men hate and revile you for the sake of the Son of Man.11
Follow then the innocent Jesus. While on earth he was rejected by evil men, but was chosen by God the Father and crowned with glory and honor in heaven. Do not allow passing insults to overwhelm you, for God has prepared for you a share in eternal glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, my Friend, in your abundant charity I ask you to enkindle in my heart the grace of genuine compassion for your sufferings. Make me burn with the heat of your immense love, that whatever abuse and insults come my way, I, with peace of mind, may find joy in bearing them and not yield to fear because of the displeasure or taunts of men but with all my heart desire to imitate you in the shame of the Cross.
Strengthen me against my carnal inclinations and grant that I may crucify my harmful passions through effective discipline and with tears to wash away the faults I have previously committed and never deliberately to yield to future attacks of the evil one.
Finally, in every spiritual combat and ordeal of heart I undergo, assist and defend me against the devil’s wiles with the strength from your life-giving Cross. May that which was meant to shame you be a remedy for me, and may I return a grateful sacrifice of praise to you for your victory on the holy Cross.