JESUS BEFORE ANNAS AND CAIPHAS
“And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high-priest of that year” (John 18, 13).
First Prelude: Imagine Jesus, bound like a criminal and dragged by the soldiers through the streets of Jerusalem to the house of Caiphas.
Second Prelude: I pray Thee, O my Jesus, by the inexpressible contempt and the ill-treatment Thou didst suffer for love of me, give me fortitude and patience in all reverses.
First Point
WHAT JESUS SUFFERED ON THE WAY TO ANNAS
For three hours Jesus had persevered in prayer and combat in the Garden of Olives. His agony, as well as the treason of Judas and the flight of the Apostles, had exhausted Him completely. Now these vile wretches dragged Him amidst scorn and contempt with violence and impetuosity through the streets of Jerusalem to the house of Annas. What may the Sacred Heart have felt, when they approached this city where a few days before He had been received with jubilation and rejoicing! He had to see how the people, beholding Him in such a pitiable condition, should be brought to waver in their faith and prejudiced against Him. They had cheerfully accepted His sacred doctrine, for a time, because of His many wonders; now, in the hour of temptation, the majority deserted and abandoned Him. There were yet souls who in the depths of their heart believed in Him; many, too, loved and compassionated Him, but they lacked the courage to espouse His cause openly.
Let us try to feel these pains with our Divine Saviour, and magnify Him for His admirable courage in suffering Himself to be led to slaughter like a lamb, without opening His mouth. And all this He has done for me! Should we not thank Him with our whole heart for such inexpressible love, and show our appreciation by imitation of His patience and composure? We often have occasion in our holy vocation to tread in His footsteps, when in the interest of ungrateful souls we shoulder troublesome tasks. At such times, we will cling close to Jesus and seek consolation in the thought that His sufferings, both interior and exterior, were infinitely greater than ours. In union with Jesus, suffering, let us immolate ourselves to the heavenly Father for the conversion of sinners.
How can I testify my gratitude today for all that Jesus has suffered for me?
Second Point
JESUS ARRAIGNED BEFORE THE HIGH-PRIEST
Jesus, bound, was first led to Annas, one of His most bitter enemies, who vented the full measure of his wrath upon Him. Not being authorized to condemn Jesus, he sent Him to Caiphas, who was high-priest that year, about whom were assembled many members of the council. This session of the court was characterized by an injustice that staggers belief. All the judges were the fiercest enemies of Christ, Who by the wisdom of His doctrines, the sanctity of His life, and the astounding miracles He had wrought, had gained renown as the benefactor of the people, and excited their jealousy. They had been on the lookout for an opportunity to rid themselves of Him. Such was the godless and blood-thirsty council before which Jesus, the Son of God, the Judge of the living and the dead, willed to appear.
The high-priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine, although it was well known to the public what Jesus for the space of three years had taught openly, and His disciples were also known. Playing the hypocrite, Caiphas sought to entrap Jesus and find, at least, a subterfuge to accuse Him. With the same meekness which had often in the Temple won the admiration of the multitude, Jesus now answered: “I have spoken openly to the world—ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them: behold, they know what things I have said” (John 18, 20-21). Concerning the Apostles, however, Jesus was silent because He would teach us not to reveal the faults of our neighbor without necessity. The answer Jesus made with reference to His doctrine is quite in harmony with His infinite wisdom and holiness. He appeals to the testimony of the people, making it manifest that He has nothing to fear from such a rigorous investigation of His doctrine and His actions. Oh, that in the day of judgment, we may be able to appeal to the testimony of co-religious of the children and especially of the holy angels!
Affections: O sweetest Jesus, how art Thou buffeted and ill-treated by Thy enemies, but still more by Thy love which empowered them to act thus! I thank Thee for the unspeakable sorrows Thou didst endure on this painful journey, and pray Thee to offer to the heavenly Father all Thy fatiguing steps, in atonement for my sinful steps. Grant me, O my most amiable Jesus, a heart filled with indulgence and tender devotion to the wants of my neighbor, that in imitation of Thy example I may excuse the faults of others and strive to ward off from them every ill.
Resolution: For the love of Jesus, I will cheerfully bear whatever is difficult and irksome in my duties among the children entrusted to me . . .
Spiritual Bouquet: “Draw me, O Lord, and I will run after Thee in the odor of Thy ointments.”
Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .
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