- Adoramus te Christe et benedicimus tibi (We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee)
- Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum (For by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.)
Jesus, the innocent One, stands before Pilate.
An earthly judge, the representative of Rome, is to judge the Son of God.
The leaders of His own people are His accusers. Those who were to lead the chosen people and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah did not recognise Him because they did not know the Father (Jn 8:19). This is what Jesus said to them.
The most serious accusation against Jesus is that of having blasphemed against God. He, who made the Father known to us, He, who rests in His bosom, He, who fulfilled His will in everything and was accredited by countless signs and miracles, is accused of this terrible transgression. They did not recognise Him, because they did not know the Father.
They leave Him no way out. His accusers want to see Him dead. They prefer that a criminal be set free instead of Jesus. Pilate wants to save Him from His adversaries, but they show no mercy. Pilate finally gives in. He does not want to lose the favour of the emperor.
In Gethsemane, before being taken prisoner, Jesus had already fought against the fear of the suffering that awaited Him and had given His ‘yes’ to the will of the Father. There, in Gethsemane, Jesus accepted the bitter cup of His Passion, which the Father offered Him, and now He is ready to drink it!
Jesus takes upon Himself all the sins of mankind. He, the Innocent One condemned to death, takes upon Himself the guilt of those who have contracted debts with God and mankind.
There is not much left to say. Ears have been closed to Jesus; hearts have been hardened.
On the road to Calvary, Jesus is silent.
Prayer: “Lord, graciously grant us salvation and peace, that your Church, having overcome all obstacles and errors, may serve you in full freedom, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit and is God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
