Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again, Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. … So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

Mark 15: 1-5, 15

This passage pushes me to reflect on how we judge ourselves and others. Judging is a common practice that we all engage in but when we judge, we are operating from our own perspective and we never truly ever know what others are going through without walking in their shoes. More importantly we do not know God’s plan for one another, or ourselves for that matter. When Pilate judged Jesus, he had no idea what God’s plan was for Jesus and the sacrifice Jesus was about to make for us all. When we place trust in God’s plan, for ourselves and others, we practice discernment.

I pray for discernment to judge less and use this time to forgive and heal old wounds. Let us be guided by an understanding that God has a plan for us all, and let us love a little more because of that trust in God’s plan.

Lord,
grant us discernment
that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Belinda Tobin Duellman