The Night of the Passion
1. The night of the passion of Jesus Christ began in the garden of
Gethsemane. Here the tired Apostles left Him to pray alone and to endure
the agonizing prevision of the torments and death which awaited Him, as
well as of the ingratitude with which men would repay His infinite
love. Soon afterwards, abandoned by everybody, He was led before the
Sanhedrin as a criminal and a disturber
of the public peace. Not only was the accusation false, but it was, of
course, a complete inversion of the truth. Jesus had, in fact, taught
the noblest and most elevating of doctrines for all humanity. He had
proved the truth of His teaching by His miracles. He restored sight to
the blind, health to the lepers, to the lame, and to the paralysed, and
life to the dead. He had stated quite clearly: “Render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Mt.
22:21) Nevertheless, in the presence of His wicked judges He showed
Himself to be meek and humble. But when He was confronted with an
obvious falsehood, He spoke out in defence of the truth of His teaching.
For this He was struck by one of the High Priest's attendants, who
said: “Is that the way thou dost answer the high priest?” “If I have
spoken ill,” Jesus replied quietly, “bear witness to the evil; but if
well, why dost thou strike me?” (John 18: 19-23) Let us learn from our
divine Redeemer to conquer self-love and to bear insults humbly and
peacefully.
2. Caiaphas, the High Priest, could not gather any
solid and unconflicting evidence which would convict Jesus and further
his own evil plans. At last he solemnly commanded Jesus in the name of
the living God to say whether He was really the Christ, the Son of God.
“Thou hast said it,” Jesus replied: “Nevertheless, I say to you,
hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Power and coming upon the clouds of heaven.” At this the High Priest
tore his garments. “He has blasphemed,” he cried. “He deserves to die.”
(Cf. Mt. 26: 63-66) The unjust sentence was met with general acclaim and
Jesus was handed over to the soldiers as if He were a common criminal.
For the rest of the night these ruffians humiliated and ill-treated Him
in the worst possible fashion. Some spat in His face, others slapped and
struck Him, and still others blindfolded Him and jeeringly asked:
“Prophesy to us, O Christ! Who is it that struck thee?” (Cf. Mt. 26:
67-68) Jesus suffered in silence. He suffered because of the blows and
insults, but most of all because of the sad spectacle of so much sin and
ingratitude. He was offered as a victim of expiation for us all. When
we realise the vast number of sins which are committed, what do we do
about it? Do we pray that poor sinners may repent and return to console
the heart of Jesus? Do we offer our pains and sorrows on their behalf?
If we really love God, we should do this much.
3. Picture Jesus
during this long and sorrowful night. Abandoned by everybody, betrayed
by Judas, denied by Peter, unjustly judged worthy of death by the High
Priest, buffeted and mocked by the soldiers, He suffers and prays and
offers Himself as a victim of reparation, especially for all those sins
which are being committed and will be committed by night all over the
world. Let us bow before Him in spirit. Let us tell Him with penitent
hearts that we shall never offend Him again and that we love and adore
Him. Let us promise to offer the prayers and sufferings of this day in
reparation for the sins which men commit under cover of darkness.
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