Day 16 of 30 · Week 3 · Jesus Christ the Messiah

Jesus Questioned by Pilate

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned Him, “Are You the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer.
Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?”
But He did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
THE SENTENCE OF DEATH
Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [Jesus] Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed Him over.
While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of Him.” The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has He done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
MOCKERY BY THE SOLDIERS
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around Him. They stripped off His clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about Him.
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon Him and took the reed and kept striking Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the cloak, dressed Him in His own clothes, and led Him off to crucify Him.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry His cross.
THE CRUCIFIXION
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when He had tasted it, He refused to drink.
After they had crucified Him, they divided His garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over Him there. And they placed over His head the written charge against Him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Two revolutionaries were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. Those passing by reviled Him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, if You are the Son of God, [and] come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked Him and said, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. So He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The revolutionaries who were crucified with Him also kept abusing Him in the same way.
THE DEATH OF JESUS
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to Him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up His spirit.
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:11–56

Evening Prayer

Why Do Catholics Focus On Jesus’ Death?

Fr. John Paul Gardner

Father, some of my Christian friends are wondering why Catholics focus on Jesus’ death when He is already raised from the dead. They think we should remove our crucifixes and, instead, focus on Christ’s Resurrection. How can I respond?

Our Blessed Lord’s Resurrection is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ. Even nominal Catholics know the central importance of Easter being recognized as the most important day of the liturgical year. (Only Christmas could give it a run for its money in popularity!) Catholics, as well as other denominations, know how to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection properly and exultantly. The very source and summit of Catholic Christianity is Jesus’ Body truly present in the most Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is nothing less than His Risen Flesh, the glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

Additionally, the reason Catholics come to Mass on Sunday rather than any other day of the week is because that is the day that Jesus rose from the dead—the day of the Resurrection. Focus on the Resurrection doesn’t come from any lack of attention to the Crucifixion but rather a result of our focus on it. Those who want to set side Jesus’ suffering and death in favor of His Resurrection are setting themselves up for confusion towards the paschal mystery, that is, the central mystery of the faith: Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension. Although these four events happened at different intervals of time, they cannot be interpreted or celebrated without each other.

Since focus on our Lord’s Crucifixion takes nothing away from, but rather enhances our celebration of the Resurrection, we ought to focus on our Lord’s Crucifixion as best we can. Here are three ways we can deepen

devotion to the Resurrection by way of Our Lord’s Passion: (1) by meditating on Our Lord’s own words; (2) by considering the actions of the disciples first to witness the Resurrection; and (3) from the aspect of Christianity lived throughout the centuries.

First, from Our Lord’s own words, when the apostles James and John expressed their desire to share His glory in heaven, Jesus reminded them that they must first be willing to drink the cup of suffering (cf. Mk 10:37–38). This, we can say that Our Lord’s own desire is that we not forget the suffering we must endure in this life if we hope to be able to enter into the Resurrection with Him.

Second, think about those disciples who were closest to Him at His Resurrection. Mary Magdalene was there first; then came running Peter and John. Isn’t it quite telling that they were the last to abandon Him in His agony? Of course, Peter did deny Him but not without first showing his willingness to fight to the death with the sword and even followed Jesus up to the place where they were condemning Him before his courage failed and he denied Christ. John went even further to the foot of the cross, bravely standing by Our Blessed Mother and looking upon Our Lord as He died. And, of course, Mary Magdalene who clung to Jesus’ feet and wept bitterly. What we learn from Sts. Peter, John and Mary Magdalene is that authentic witness to the Resurrection comes only through closeness to Jesus in His Passion and death. We would be wise to do the same.

Lastly, the witness of 20 centuries of saints who profess their faith in the Resurrection—every single one of them come faithfully to the Cross of Christ and recommended it to all who wish to follow in their footsteps. Saint Ignatius of Antioch spoke of an immense desire to suffer with Christ, because only then could he experience the glory of His Resurrection. Saint Francis of Assisi ignited the fire of devotion to the Risen Lord in the hearts of all the faithful for centuries by promoting the Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross). Devotion to the Cross of Christ is the very gateway to the glory of Resurrection. It is our only hope for heaven.

Even Satan wants to hide the crucifixes from our churches and our homes because he knows they express the power of the Passion of Christ and reveal how much He loves us. Let’s not remove our crucifixes or lessen our devotion to the Passion of Christ. Instead, while we continue in this valley of tears, longing for the glory of Resurrection, let us not hesitate to stand next to Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross. We must follow the examples of all the saints and be inspired by the words of St. Paul, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2).

bismarckdiocese.com/news/why-do-catholics-focus-on-jesus-death

Summary of Key Concepts

Jesus Conquers Sin & Death

Questions to Consider

Do you have a crucifix in your home? How might seeing a daily reminder of the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made to atone for your sins help you to understand how much He loves you?
Jesus’ suffering during His Passion made it possible for all of our sins to be forgiven. In what ways can you show gratitude for all He endured on your behalf?
Jesus told James and John that in order for them to share in His glory in Heaven, they would first need to share in His suffering. How might this help you offer the suffering you are enduring as a way to open your soul to your eternal happiness?

JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION