Week 24 - Jesus is brought before the court and tried
Theme:
Those who think that Jesus’ fate is in their hands, choose the easy way out to be rid of him.
What I might wish to pray for:
That I will have the courage to say who Jesus is. That I can see things from the point of view of those involved and am also able to see my own place.
That my connection and solidarity with Jesus will grow, especially now when it comes down to what really matters.
Jesus has been arrested. He has been sent from the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court, to Pontius Pilate then to Herod and finally back to Pontius Pilate. People keep looking for something they can accuse him of in order to condemn him.
My connectedness and solidarity with my fellow human beings can result in growth in my connection to Jesus. Do I recognize that in my own life? Do I feel empathy with people or do I put up a screen to protect myself because of fears?
Do I sacrifice Jesus by sacrificing a fellow human being?
The music laments with us.
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Music Offertorium from Réquiem for my friend: Preisner
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus
Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus
Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
Et semini eius
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
Et semini eius
We offer to thee, O Lord, sacrifice of praise and prayers;
do thou receive them on behalf of those souls
whom we commemorate this day;
grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life;
Which thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.
Luke 23, 13-25
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
In all honesty to search my conscience, come to a decision and act on that. It seems so easy but it can sometimes be so difficult.
Have I sometimes had to make difficult decisions in my life and done that honestly?
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Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
It is so difficult to go against what the masses are demanding, to remain steadfast in what I believe to be right. Affirmation from others feels so safe. Then I feel as if I belong. I am not alone. How do I stand when it comes down to the principles I hold about life? Can I stand up for my belief in Jesus?
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So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
Sometimes it seems as if we just can’t keep swimming against the tide. That we just don’t have the strength needed to remain steadfast in a world which seems to think differently and to do what we ourselves would like to do.
Where can I find the strength which I need to stay my ground however difficult? Could it help us to reflect on what happened between Jesus and Pontius Pilate?
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Prayer: Our Father