FIFTH STATION
Jesus is Judged by Pilate
V.Adoramus
te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R.Quia
per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
From the Gospel according to Mk 15,14-15
And Pilate said to them: "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more: "Crucify him". So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
MEDITATION
"Let him be crucified" (Mt 27,22).
The cry rings out whenever a human being is maltreated. Every day each one of us becomes a judge. We think we have the right to judge and condemn what others do, but we refuse to be blamed or judged by others. We always find a justification for our faults and mistakes. Jesus remains silent before the hypocrisy and arrogance of power, before the indifference of those who avoid their own responsibilities. He thus confirms the teaching he gave to his disciples: "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned" (Lk 6,37). Jesus has his hands tied, but he is free. In accepting the mystery of the Cross, he shows us true love, true justice.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
free us from hypocrisy and indifference,
from the temptation to wash our hands
in the face of injustice.
Grant us the humility we need
to recognize our mistakes.
Teach us to reject all compromise
with injustice and deceit.
Help us to be silent within
that we may hear the cry of those
who are suffering.
Enlighten those who always try
to justify the wrong that they have done.
You, O Lord, poured out your blood
as the price of our freedom:
give each of us your voice
that we may lift it up
in defence of the oppressed,
of all who suffer in silence,
so that peace, justice and forgiveness
may become a reality in the world.
You, Jesus, were condemned though innocent:
to you be pure and thankful praise,
with the Father and the Spirit
in this age and for all eternity.
R.Amen.
All:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Quis est
homo qui non fleret,
matrem Christi si videret
in tanto supplicio?
Is there
one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ's dear mother to behold?