RBWords

     Pilate is not interested in philosophy.  He is interested in maintaining law and order during the volatile period of celebration of the Passover.  Jesus could represent one more of the many attempts at rebellion against Roman rule.  Pilate is not beyond deliberate antagonism, however.  He writes an inscription that is placed on the cross: Jesus of Nazareth - the King of the Jews.  Jesus did not claim to be "king" of anyone in the sense that Pilate understood it - a purely political one.  He did speak of a "kingdom" but, as he tells Pilate, "My kingdom does not belong to this world."  All of this can leave us in a kind of surreal situation as the trial and crucifixion work their way toward the end.  Who is Jesus?

     Yes, we have our faith that comes from the two thousand years of reflection on today's event!  This is the collective faith of the church.  But we also have our own personal reaction to the sight of Jesus' body on the cross!  If we have entered into the experience of the passion narrative, conscious of Isaiah's prophecy and the reflection in the Letter to the Hebrews, we find ourselves submerged in time - before Christ, with Christ, after Christ.  What was an expedient political gesture to Pilate is for us a central act of love and salvation that continues to challenge us to a similar love.  It is one thing to "kiss" the cross today.  It is another to imagine ourselves on that cross.  The Word of God and the cross challenge us to deep reflection on the suffering of all, including our own.  Who is Jesus, and why did he do this for us then and now?  AMEN