On the extraordinary inscription with the name of Jesus and placed above his head
On the extraordinary inscription with the name of Jesus and placed above his head
LORD JESUS CHRIST, almighty Prince and King of all creatures, I bless and thank you for that extraordinary inscription bearing your holy and blessed name, boldly displayed above your head. Governor Pilate had it clearly written in the three best known languages of the world, that is, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. This was the form that those words had: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.1
That inscription was indeed extraordinary. It was not the result of human inventiveness, rather it came about by divine decree, foreseen and foreordained from all eternity. Pilate, therefore, ought not, nor could have written in any other way than as you inspired him to write. The mystical meaning of that inscription, as expressed in those words, has its foundation in the celebrated books of the prophets. What Sacred Scripture had clearly predicted in years gone by and what tradition has consistently taught in praise of your grace-giving name, the gentile governor, under divine inspiration, inscribed on a small wooden tablet as an everlasting memorial of the Crucified: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
Since many in the crowd had read this inscription, the priests—their jealousy ever on the increase—could no longer tolerate that the glory of your name be proclaimed abroad, and so with all their cunning they tried to bring disgrace upon it and, what is still greater madness, tried to eradicate both your name and your life. For this reason they took the matter up with Governor Pilate, saying: Do not write, King of the Jews, but that he said I am King of the Jews.2 Their fear was that they would become involved and that the cruel crime of crucifying their own nation’s king would be laid at their door. In order that such a claim spread no farther, they requested that the inscription be changed so that it would not appear that you, Jesus, were crucified as a result of their malice, but rather because of your presumption in assuming royal status for yourself. In fact, while you were in this world you never took unto yourself any royal dignity.
O you wicked people! The truth is not as you try to make it out to be, for in every way you yourselves are the guilty ones. You are the principal murderers of the Son of God. You are without excuse, and with artful cunning you seek to mask this horrid crime. In Pilate’s very presence you disavowed the Holy and Just One and asked that a man guilty of murder be released to you. You have advanced to this point, that you now dilute the truth of the inscription so that you yourselves may appear without guilt.
With regard to the Lord’s death, Pilate was much more innocent than you, and in writing this inscription he was more truthful, and in responding to your envy-filled request, he was more constant, saying: What I have written, I have written.3 He equivalently said: “If you care to read it, then read it as it is, otherwise forget about it. Once I have come to a decision you will not turn me from it. What I have written, I have written. I did not seek your advice in writing this inscription, nor will I change it just because you request it. It will remain as I have ordered it. It was inspired by God and not by man. Therefore I confirm it and proclaim its truth and I maintain that nothing will convince me to change it. By it, I make known his dignity to all peoples and in all tongues, and I order it to be broadcast abroad that Jesus of Nazareth is the King of the Jews.”
O noble Governor, you wrote well and you responded correctly. I praise you because you had prepared so holy and handsome an inscription for Jesus of Nazareth, and because you had silenced the priests. However, Ido not praise you for giving your consent to Christ’s death, for in doing so you have committed an unspeakable crime.
And you, devout disciple of Jesus, learn carefully to ponder the words of this holy inscription, read them reflectively, and pronounce them reverently, for the very reading of these words, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, is a powerful shield against fear of the enemy. Make the sign of the Cross, touching your forehead and then your breast and devoutly repeat the words of the inscription, and instead of experiencing fear and anxiety you will feel that greater strength is yours. By calling upon Jesus’ life-giving name, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, neither your firm faith in God nor the power of Christ will permit your salvation to be endangered. No words can fully express, nor can any mind adequately comprehend the sweetness of this most worthy inscription. It has but few words, but these draw the entire world to venerate the holy name. O all you princes, tribes, and peoples of the world, hear, read, and proclaim: “Hail, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, who has suffered for the salvation of all peoples.”
O Jesus of Nazareth, glorious offspring of the Virgin Mary, renowned son of David, only-begotten of the Most High Father, write your sweet and excellent name clearly and firmly on the tablet of my heart, and together with it that holy and honored inscription giving the cause of your death, so that I may keep it ever before me and frequently read it in praise of your venerable name.
May that inscription bring comfort to my heart when I am distressed, and may it be my singular protection when severely tempted. And whenever I read or think of the words, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, may the evil spirit depart from me, may my burning concupiscence die within me, and may the whole world be as bitterness to me.
Indeed, there is nothing sweeter than Jesus, nothing more beneficial, nothing more valuable. No one is brighter, or purer, or more holy than the Nazarene. Nor is there anyone more worthy than the King of the Jews, or more powerful, or more exalted. Therefore, Jesus, whenever I humbly invoke your name, or recall your passion, or pronounce or reflect on the words, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews let no enemy challenge me, no plague touch me, no disaster destroy me.
O Jesus, you are eminently lovable, you are my King and God, my delight and beyond all my praise. You were lovable in your manger, more lovable on your Cross, and most lovable as you sit on your throne in your kingdom. Though you underwent your crucifixion in the weakness of your flesh, nevertheless, you now live by the power of God and sit at the Father’s right hand, exalted above all creatures for ever and ever. Amen.