First Station of the Cross

Jesus is condemned to death 

   The King of Kings stood before a Roman official who had no understanding of who Jesus was.  The High Priest and the Sanhedrin had brought Jesus to him with their false claims and charges against Him.  Despite their accusations, Pilate was not convinced that Jesus had committed any crime which would deserve death.  He, therefore, had Jesus scourged, hoping that the punishment would satisfy the people’s thirst for blood.  Still they demanded His crucifixion.  Pilate, fearful of riots and unrest, chose to condemn Christ even while believing Him innocent; he ordered Jesus to be crucified.

As we contemplate this beginning of Jesus’ journey to Calvary we must look inside ourselves and see where we fit in to this event.

   Politicians still swallow their integrity and honesty to secure their place in power.  If the decision is tough they, like Pilate, want to wash their hands of it rather than take a stand for what is right.  Many claim to be Catholic and yet continue to support abortion on demand.  I see Pontius Pilate in these politicians.  Go along to get along is their faith and religion.

   Few of our religious leaders address the sinfulness of those sitting in the pews before them  When was the last time you heard your Priest or Pastor state unequivocally that abortion is murder; that sex, of any kind, outside of a sacramental marriage is adultery and/or fornication. In too many cases those who are supposed to be our shepherds echo the High Priest Caiaphas.  They want to maintain the status quo rather than rocking the boat.  The offering plate has become their God.

   While we are at it we can’t leave ourselves out of the picture.  Do we, like the Jews of Jesus’ time praise Him when it’s convenient and deny Him when it isn’t?  We sit in those pews on Sunday and sing praise to Jesus and then spend the rest of our week ignoring Him.  We too tend to have a go along to get along mentality.  Especially when standing up for Jesus has a price that we think is too high.

   Finally, as we walk with Him on this journey let us never forget that He died for our sins.  It is our sins that nailed Him to that cross; it is our sins that continue to offend Him and crucify Him over and over.