Meditation for Monday
The Inscription of The Cross
“And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin” (John 19, 19–20).
First Prelude: In spirit take your stand beneath the cross and read Pilate’s inscription.
Second Prelude: O Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, teach me, by true humility of heart to subject myself to Thy benign sway.
By a singular providence of God, Pilate had affixed to the cross an inscription which he had dictated in three different languages, in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” By this inscription God willed to manifest the Messianic character of Christ’s mission. Jesus hung on the cross as our Saviour and Redeemer. This appellation is truly a title of honor for our Blessed Lord. He had assumed it in the circumcision, had verified it during the course of His life in all His actions, healing all manner of infirmities and working other prodigies. Now that He hangs on the cross He declares Himself publicly in the face of the whole world as Jesus and Saviour, a name which is inexpressibly dear to Him and also to us. He purchased it at the price of His Precious Blood, and by means of it He bestows on mankind consolation, protection and help in all the needs of life and death. “Jesus of Nazareth,” reads the inscription by which Jesus would announce to all that He is the Nazarene—that is, the Holy One, Who atoned not for personal guilt but for the sins of the world. This title, further, testified to His profound humility. He had assumed His human nature in Nazareth, had spent many years there in seclusion as lowly artisan. Nazareth was despised by the Jews and for that very reason the Saviour willed even on the cross to be proclaimed “Jesus of Nazareth.”
This superscription of the cross conveys a touching lesson deserving earnest consideration. Let us ask, first of all, whether we suffer Jesus full sway to exercise His office as Redeemer in our regard, and whether we endeavor to render ourselves worthy of the fruits of His passion. Let us bear in mind that purity of heart and humility are the channels through which Christ’s superabundant merits will flow. These virtues, moreover, are incumbent upon us, in a particular manner, as religious, as spouses of Christ. Do I aim to resemble my Divine Model in loving to be esteemed as naught in the eyes of the world, or must I admit,—to my shame,—that I try to conceal my faults and display to advantage any possible good I may do?
This inscription should indicate the cause of Christ’s sentence. Pilate, who had lacked courage to uphold his authority against the excited multitude, now delighted to find occasion for avenging himself by writing on the tablet designed to publish the crime of which Jesus was found guilty, besides “Jesus of Nazareth,” also “King of the Jews.” The chosen people had rejected their King; by means of this superscription the heathen Judge must solemnly proclaim Him King of all those whom Christ, by His death on the cross, had redeemed from the slavery of Satan and united into one grand kingdom of God. All nations should adore Him. He should be at once their King, their Judge and their Lord. None could dispute His scepter and crown. He is risen, the Apostle observes, to rule over the living and the dead, and daily we confess with Holy Church in the Creed “and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” He is the invisible Head of the Church, Who rules over all the faithful by the sweet reign of His grace. To Him, in His own words, is given all power in heaven and on earth. Let us choose Him King of our heart and subject it to Him in humble obedience, abandoning ourselves wholly to Him in childlike trust. Let us rejoice in the honor accorded to the holy cross. This sacred symbol of our salvation towers high above our Churches; before it all peoples kneel in reverence; by the sign of the cross, Satan’s power is crushed. Let us adore our mighty and yet so humble King, Who from the height of the cross rules the world.
Am I of the number of those who choose Christ their King, but who flee from His cross, His poverty, His abasement, and His sufferings?
Affections: Profoundly I adore Thee, O Jesus of Nazareth, my Saviour and Redeemer, Whose death is the source of our life, and tender Thee the homage of humble reverence and heartfelt gratitude. Thou art truly Heaven’s King, the King of the humble and lowly, who turn to Thee by sincere compunction and penance, calling upon Thy holy name. Would that I could say that Thou art in truth the Ruler of my heart, that I have immolated all to Thee that I am and have! O my crucified Jesus, prostrate at Thy feet I pray Thee: Take possession of my heart and annihilate therein whatever is opposed to the power of Thy love. Conquer the hearts of all men, O divine King, that all may be subject to Thy sweet reign and one day be found worthy to enter the kingdom of Thy eternal love and glory.
Resolution: I will today render homage to my divine King by frequent acts of humility and adoration.
Spiritual Bouquet: “In the name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”
“And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin” (John 19, 19–20).
First Prelude: In spirit take your stand beneath the cross and read Pilate’s inscription.
Second Prelude: O Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, teach me, by true humility of heart to subject myself to Thy benign sway.
By a singular providence of God, Pilate had affixed to the cross an inscription which he had dictated in three different languages, in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” By this inscription God willed to manifest the Messianic character of Christ’s mission. Jesus hung on the cross as our Saviour and Redeemer. This appellation is truly a title of honor for our Blessed Lord. He had assumed it in the circumcision, had verified it during the course of His life in all His actions, healing all manner of infirmities and working other prodigies. Now that He hangs on the cross He declares Himself publicly in the face of the whole world as Jesus and Saviour, a name which is inexpressibly dear to Him and also to us. He purchased it at the price of His Precious Blood, and by means of it He bestows on mankind consolation, protection and help in all the needs of life and death. “Jesus of Nazareth,” reads the inscription by which Jesus would announce to all that He is the Nazarene—that is, the Holy One, Who atoned not for personal guilt but for the sins of the world. This title, further, testified to His profound humility. He had assumed His human nature in Nazareth, had spent many years there in seclusion as lowly artisan. Nazareth was despised by the Jews and for that very reason the Saviour willed even on the cross to be proclaimed “Jesus of Nazareth.”
This superscription of the cross conveys a touching lesson deserving earnest consideration. Let us ask, first of all, whether we suffer Jesus full sway to exercise His office as Redeemer in our regard, and whether we endeavor to render ourselves worthy of the fruits of His passion. Let us bear in mind that purity of heart and humility are the channels through which Christ’s superabundant merits will flow. These virtues, moreover, are incumbent upon us, in a particular manner, as religious, as spouses of Christ. Do I aim to resemble my Divine Model in loving to be esteemed as naught in the eyes of the world, or must I admit,—to my shame,—that I try to conceal my faults and display to advantage any possible good I may do?
This inscription should indicate the cause of Christ’s sentence. Pilate, who had lacked courage to uphold his authority against the excited multitude, now delighted to find occasion for avenging himself by writing on the tablet designed to publish the crime of which Jesus was found guilty, besides “Jesus of Nazareth,” also “King of the Jews.” The chosen people had rejected their King; by means of this superscription the heathen Judge must solemnly proclaim Him King of all those whom Christ, by His death on the cross, had redeemed from the slavery of Satan and united into one grand kingdom of God. All nations should adore Him. He should be at once their King, their Judge and their Lord. None could dispute His scepter and crown. He is risen, the Apostle observes, to rule over the living and the dead, and daily we confess with Holy Church in the Creed “and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” He is the invisible Head of the Church, Who rules over all the faithful by the sweet reign of His grace. To Him, in His own words, is given all power in heaven and on earth. Let us choose Him King of our heart and subject it to Him in humble obedience, abandoning ourselves wholly to Him in childlike trust. Let us rejoice in the honor accorded to the holy cross. This sacred symbol of our salvation towers high above our Churches; before it all peoples kneel in reverence; by the sign of the cross, Satan’s power is crushed. Let us adore our mighty and yet so humble King, Who from the height of the cross rules the world.
Am I of the number of those who choose Christ their King, but who flee from His cross, His poverty, His abasement, and His sufferings?
Affections: Profoundly I adore Thee, O Jesus of Nazareth, my Saviour and Redeemer, Whose death is the source of our life, and tender Thee the homage of humble reverence and heartfelt gratitude. Thou art truly Heaven’s King, the King of the humble and lowly, who turn to Thee by sincere compunction and penance, calling upon Thy holy name. Would that I could say that Thou art in truth the Ruler of my heart, that I have immolated all to Thee that I am and have! O my crucified Jesus, prostrate at Thy feet I pray Thee: Take possession of my heart and annihilate therein whatever is opposed to the power of Thy love. Conquer the hearts of all men, O divine King, that all may be subject to Thy sweet reign and one day be found worthy to enter the kingdom of Thy eternal love and glory.
Resolution: I will today render homage to my divine King by frequent acts of humility and adoration.
Spiritual Bouquet: “In the name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”
Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .
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