On the unjust condemnation of Jesus to death
On the unjust condemnation of Jesus to death
LORD JESUS CHRIST, Author of life and Standard of justice, I bless and thank you for your unjust condemnation to death—without any offense on your part—while a murderous revolutionary, unworthy of life, was spared. How detestable a decision; how contemptible an exchange!
Because a tremendous tumult had arisen among the people, in no way was the judge able to appease that crowd’s madness. He returned to his judgment seat and there pronounced his infamous judgment against you, namely, that the thief Barabbas, who was worthy of death for having committed a capital crime, was to be released, while you, who were free of all offense, were to be punished with a most shameful death—being handed over to be crucified.
Such, alas, is this world’s judgment! To what lengths is justice eviscerated when the ungodly are in command! Behold how the Just One perishes and there is none to free him. The One who is true is given over to the fraudulent, and the Holy One is scourged by the unholy. The Innocent is handed over rather than the guilty; a thief is chosen over Christ, and Barabbas is released from his bonds in place of Jesus of Nazareth. The Lamb is exchanged for a wolf, a saint for a criminal, the best for the worst, a desperado acquitted rather than true God. Darkness is preferred to light, vice to virtue, death to life, scum to gold, shell to pearl, and he who is infamous is favored over him who is noble.
Who will not grieve when he hears these things? Who will not become inflamed against that crowd? Who will not speak out against that judge? He may wash his hands and excuse himself before men, saying that he acted out of fear of Caesar, but he was constrained by that crowd’s insistence. He is not totally free from guilt, however, for he knew that Jesus had been handed over to him out of envy.
Indeed it would have been better for him to have lost all temporal power and honors than to have condemned one who was innocent and whom he knew to be just. It would have been more profitable for him to have lost everything in this world than to sin against God by killing the Christ.
How terrible will the judgment on the last day be for the unholy and unbelieving, when God the Judge, who is now judged to be unjust, will appear in the glory of his majesty. All the devout faithful, who deeply mourn the sacrilegious condemnation of Jesus Christ, their Lord, will then rejoice, and all who patiently bear the afflictions of this world and suffer its injuries and contempt will on that day be joyful and feel secure.
Holy and loving Lord, unjustly judged by Pilate, the governor, and condemned to the ignominy of the Cross, grant that during the community’s chapter of faults I may humbly accept any decision made against me, and may I not foolishly judge my superior or attack my accusers with injurious remarks, but following the example of your patience may I imitate your virtuous silence. Nor let me take offense when trampled upon by someone placed over me, but let me leave all judgment to you.
The servant is not greater than his master. If you, who are the judge of all, were so poorly judged, and since you, who were totally without guilt, offered no resistance to your violent enemies, how much more I, who often and in so many ways have been at fault, ought to submit to the censure of my fellow monks. Help me, most kind Jesus, cheerfully to bear the yoke of submission and the rod of correction, and whenever afflictions come my way, may I always remember your sorrows.