8 March 2013 3rd Week of Lent -- Friday Jesus led to the tribunal of Caiphas “... they led him to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiphas who was high priest that year (Jn 18:13); and Annas sent him bound to Caiphas” (Jn 18:23), “where the scribes and elders were assembled” (Mk 14:53). The series of humiliations has began. All public places and tribunals of Jerusalem have seen his helplessness. He was dragged amidst jeers -- from Annas to Caiphas, to the Council, to Pilate, to Herod and back to Pilate. Then to the praetorium to be scourged, and to the steps for the people to see. Finally, he was led out, bearing his cross, to Calvary. The question of Caiphas was twofold: on the disciples of Jesus and his doctrine. “Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly; ask them who have heard what I have spoken to them’ (Jn 18:19-20).” He was silent over the first. What good testimony could he make of his disciples? At that moment one was denying him, and the others in hiding for fear of sharing their Master’s fate. He loved them too much to blame them. He remained silent. On his doctrine, the questions were malicious, to extract a pretext for blame and condemnation. Jesus relied on appealing to public testimony, clearly showing that he knew their guilty intentions. He had nothing to fear from a severe but just examination of what he had said and taught. Our Lord gives us an example of silence when we cannot speak well of our neighbor. We learn also to watch our words, and to be prudent in what we say in public. If we are afterwards falsely accused, we may also appeal to the testimony of whoever heard us. One of the servants gave Jesus a blow, saying, “Is that how you answer the high-priest?” (Jn 18:22) Jesus answered, “If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strike me?” (Jn 18:23) It is almost impossible to understand the intensity of this outrage against God and our Saviour. He received a blow, the greatest insult one man can give another, in the open court, from the hand of a servant. Made as a mark of correction from a brutal man to the Master of creation and Infinite Wisdom. Did he take revenge for this cruel insolence? He gave a meek and prudent answer; no resentment at all. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp101-3 Jesus accused and examined at the tribunal of Caiphas “... the chief priests and the whole council sought false witnesses against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and they found none.” (Mt 26:59-60) Our Lord’s life was so holy that his sworn enemies, despite many witnesses against him, false ones included, could find nothing to accuse him of, not even the shadow of sin, or an imperfection. “The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’”(Mt 26:62) “But Jesus held his peace.” (Mk 14:61) Wonderful indeed was this silence of our Lord. His honor, reputation, and life were in peril. He could so easily defend and acquit himself; but remained silent. He left his defence in the hands of his Father. How different we are! Falsely accused, he was silent. We, who glory in being his disciples, cannot stand a reproof that we know we deserve, or a kind observation, without becoming defensive. Sometimes even at the expense of truth. “The high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are Christ, the Son of the living God’." (Mt 26:63) “Jesus replied, ‘You have said so’.” (Mt 26:64) Here is a valuable lesson -- as long as our Lord’s own person was concerned, he kept silence; but when it was a question of his Father’s glory, the salvation of souls, or a point of faith, he spoke, and confessed the truth freely although he knew it would cost him his life. When to speak and when to be silent requires thought, a calm mind, and great firmness of character. Have we sometimes sacrificed truth by keeping silence? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp104-5 Conversion, God’s Gift to the Church The Church converts to Christ to renew consciousness and certainty of all His gifts, with which she was endowed by him through the Cross and Resurrection. Christ is at the same time the Church’s Redeemer and her Spouse. As Redeemer and Spouse, Christ established the Church among weak, sinful and fallible men; but he established her at the same time strong, holy and infallible not through the work of men. Believing in the Church’s strength is believing in that power which “in weakness reaches perfection” (2 Cor 12:9). Believing in the Church’s holiness means believing in that gift which makes us heirs of the divine holiness. Believing in the Church’s infallibility means believing in Christ’s gift which permits fallible men to infallibly proclaim and confess the truth revealed for our salvation. The Church of our time -- this critical epoch -- ought to have particular certainty regarding Christ’s gift, the gift of strength, the gift of holiness, the gift of infallibility. The more she is conscious of the weakness, sinfulness, fallibility of man, the more she should maintain her certainty of those gifts, coming from Her Redeemer and Her Spouse. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp133-4 • Our Lady of Virtues, at Lisbon, in Portugal— (Antonius Vasconcellius in Descriptione regni Lusitaniae, c. 7, § 5.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the Lily. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Nossa Senhora/ Our Lady of Virtues. Lisbon, Portugal. Purity, prudence, humility, faith, piety, obedience, poverty, patience, charity, compassion. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Virtues, Lisbon, Portugal. The ten principal virtues for which she is known: Purity, Prudence, Humility, Faith, Piety, Obedience, Poverty, Patience, Charity & Compassion. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Virtues (Lisbon, Portugal). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of the Lily. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)