Day Twenty-Three of Lent – The Sentence of Death

REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Day Twenty-Three of Lent
The Sentence of Death

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. Matthew 27:24-26

The decision had been made. Pilate had declared that he believed Jesus was innocent, but because of the hostility and threats of the chief priests and the crowds, he ordered that Jesus be crucified. This was the easiest thing for Pilate to do to avoid an uprising. Pilate acted in a cowardly way and then declared that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood. The chief priests, elders and all who were present cried out “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”

What did our Blessed Mother think as she heard Pilate pronounce the sentence of death upon her Son? What did she think when the religious leaders and agitators within the crowds gave their strong vocal consent? Perhaps, as she continued to ponder these words, “His blood be upon us and upon our children,” she would have transformed that statement into her deepest prayer.

As she stood before her Son on the Cross and contemplated these words spoken just hours before, our Blessed Mother would have realized they expressed Jesus’ deepest desire. He desired that His Precious Blood would indeed be poured out upon all people, including those responsible for His death. He would have desired that His Precious Blood would cover them all, washing away their sins and sanctifying them so that they could enter His eternal Kingdom. Mother Mary would have shared this same desire of our Lord. She would have forgiven the cowardice of Pilate and the harshness of the crowds.

We are all called to shed our blood for the sanctification of others. Though Jesus is the one and only Savior of the World, we are called to participate in His offering. We are called to unite our own daily sacrifices with His one eternal sacrifice. To do this, we must let go of every bit of our wounded pride, anger, hurt and vengeance. We must desire that our own daily sacrifice be offered for the good of all, including those who have sinned against us. We must turn away from a desire for earthly justice and realize that mercy and forgiveness bring forth the perfection of God’s justice.

Reflect, today, upon our Blessed Mother as she contemplated these words of the people, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Know that this became her deepest prayer during Jesus’ three hours on the Cross. As you contemplate Mother Mary praying these words, try to unite your own mistreatment, suffering and hurt to the Cross of Christ. Know that the free embrace of your own sacrifice can be turned into a blanket of grace and mercy for those who need it the most.

PRAYER

My dear Mother, through the ponderings of your Immaculate Heart you were able to transform the harsh words of your Son’s persecutors into your own beautiful prayer. You were able to see that the blood shed by your Son was the source of grace and mercy needed, if not sought, by all.

My loving Mother, pray for me that I may imitate your merciful heart and pray that your Son’s blood be poured out in abundance upon all those in need.

My suffering Lord, give me the grace to unite my own sufferings with Yours and to unite the injustices I endure with the injustice of the shedding of Your Precious Blood. Help me to see all things through Your eyes and to love all people with Your Sacred Heart.

40 Days Journey with Our Lord
Day Twenty-Three: True Heights

“Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence” (Matthew 4:8).

In this, the third temptation Jesus faced while in the desert, the devil again takes our Lord to a high place. In the second temptation, he took Jesus to the top of the Temple. In this temptation, he takes Jesus up a very high mountain.

The view from a high mountain is impressive. Luke’s version of this temptation states that from this high place, the devil “showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant” (Luke 4:5). If you’ve ever been to the top of a mountain, you know that the view can be breathtaking. The physical location of this third temptation is important because it tells us that the devil tried to seduce our Lord through an immediate sense of awe.

Of course, what the devil forgot is that it was our Lord Himself Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, created not only this world but also the spiritual reality in Heaven itself. Though Jesus would have had a holy love for what He looked at from the top of that very high mountain, it would not have dazzled Him to the point of becoming foolish as the devil wanted.

One of the tactics of the devil, when he tempts us each day, is to dazzle us as a precursor to his temptation. It’s like a salesman who first “wines and dines” a client before trying to make the sale. The difference, however, is that the “sale” the evil one is trying to make is always deceptive and sinful. For that reason, he will often try to impress us, giving us a sense of awe, so that we are better disposed to give into his ultimate plan.

As we ponder the physical location of this third temptation, think about the “place” that the evil one is most effective at tempting you. By “place,” we should consider the things of this world that are impressive to us, awe-inspiring, or dazzling to our senses. Though these places might not be sinful in themselves, the excitement they foster within us can be an open door to some sinful temptation from the evil one. For example, the excitement of a night on the town with friends might tempt you to drink too much. Or the excitement of going on a vacation to an exotic place might tempt you to spend more money than you should.

Overcoming sin not only requires that we turn from the sin itself but also from the “near occasion of sin.” In other words, we must avoid situations in which we are likely to experience temptations we cannot endure. Jesus permitted the devil to take Him up this high mountain and show Him the magnificence of the world as a way of strengthening human nature when faced with the temptation of the “awe” that is part of the seduction of sin.

Ponder those places, situations, or even persons that the devil uses to seduce you. What activities should you regularly avoid so as to avoid temptation? If these are unavoidable, know that Jesus’ defeat of the devil’s temptation also empowers you to be able to withstand the passing “magnificence” of the seduction with which the devil tries to tempt you.

PRAYER

Most High God, Your divine presence is more magnificent and glorious than everything this world can offer. All of the earthly power and glory fails to compare to the powerful and glorious act of loving You. Please guard and protect me always, especially when the devil tries to dazzle me with the passing and sinful things in this world. May I find wonder and awe in You alone.

My dear Mother, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source: mycatholiclife