CHRIST, THE GUARDIAN OF YOUR SOUL.

"I have sinned; what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men?" (Job 7:20)

I.

"When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things which he possesseth are in peace." (Luke 11:21) Conceive your soul to be this court, which Christ our Lord, who is both strong and armed, desires to guard, in order that her possessions may be in peace. No being is more powerful than this Champion of ours: "The Lord is strong and mighty, the Lord is mighty in battle." (Ps. 23:8) No keeper can be more vigilant than He is. "Behold, He shall neither slumber nor sleep who keepeth Israel." (Ps. 120:4) All this care and vigilance He uses in your regard, to preserve you from evil. Oh, what a happiness it is to rest under the protection of so powerful and so beneficent a Guardian!

II.

This Guardian of yours will today enter the fortress of your soul, in the holy Eucharist, to strengthen and defend it against your mortal enemy, the devil, who surrounds it day and night, seeking its destruction. This divine table, this holy banquet, is instituted chiefly as a means of defense against our enemies: "Thou hast prepared a table before me," says the Prophet, "against them that afflict me." (Ps. 22:5) Conceive hence an unbounded confidence in your Guardian, and look for the happy hour in which you are to receive Him.

III.

In what manner ought you to entertain Him? You must divest your heart of everything that you know will displease Him, or else He may immediately abandon you, and you may fall into the hands of your enemies. Freely surrender yourself to Him, and desire Him to dispose of yourself and everything that belongs to you, as He pleases. Ask pardon for your former offences, and say with the Prophet: "Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked; and from unjust men deliver me." (Ps. 139:5)

CHRIST IS LED TO PILATE.

I.

"And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people held a council against Jesus to put Him to death." (Matt, 27:1) How active are the children of this world in their works of darkness, scarce giving themselves time to rest or to sleep! Oh, that you were as zealous in the service of God! Think how welcome this last morning was to our blessed Lord; for the completion of man's redemption was near. Ponder now, how, being in full council, they re-examine their prisoner, condemn Him as a blasphemer, vote Him guilty of death, and finally deliver Him over to the secular power, to be executed.

II.

"And the whole multitude of them rose up and led Him away to Pilate." (Luke 23:1) Think what a distressing journey this was to our Divine Savior. By this time, the whole city was full of what had passed the preceding night, and was waiting in great anxiety for the result of the high council. They now behold the captive hurried along through the streets, accompanied by their high-priests and elders, as so many unquestionable witnesses and proclaimers of His guilt. He is considered by all as a convicted criminal, and a notorious malefactor, and is insulted and scoffed at by a barbarous and enraged multitude. Even those who, a short time ago, held Him in the highest veneration, and considered Him a great Prophet and their Messiah, now believe themselves to have been deceived by this sovereign impostor. Who ever did, or ever could, suffer as much as He did in His reputation?

III.

When He had arrived at Pilate's court, His enemies "went not into the hall " (it being the habitation of a Gentile), "that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch." (John 18:28) Superstitious hypocrites! They affect religion and conscience in a small matter, and are actually meditating sacrilege and murder. Would to God that you were as accurate and zealous in regard to perfect purity when you approach the sacred table, to eat the Christian pasch, and that you did not come with a heart distracted and dissipated with worldly thoughts and undue affections!

CHRIST IS ACCUSED BEFORE PILATE.

I.

Pilate, having brought Jesus forth before the people, demanded what accusations they produced against Him, when "they began to accuse Him" — 1. As a seditious man: "We have found this man perverting our nations." 2. They accuse Him of treason: we have found Him "forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He is Christ the king." (Luke 22:2) What odious calumnies were arrayed against the innocence of the Son of God! "The sons of men are liars in the balances." (Ps. 61:10) It is always an easy task to calumniate the innocent.

II.

Christ might easily have refuted these unjust accusations, if He had chosen; but He preserved the most profound silence, "so that the governor wondered exceedingly." (Matt, 27:14) Our Lord fulfilled the prophecy of the Psalmist on that occasion: "I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me." (Ps. 32:2) Oh, that you would act in the same manner when you are attacked by calumny! Observe that an innocent life is the best defense against defamation. Learn that courage and fortitude display themselves in silence, and in the contempt of injuries and affronts. On such occasions, commit your cause to divine Providence; and then, "in silence and in hope shall your strength be." (Isa. 30:15)

III.

Pilate, seizing on the last accusation, asked Jesus whether He really were the King of the Jews, and He answered: "Thou sayest it, but My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), nor does it consist in earthly greatness, pomp, and state, but in poverty and contempt. "Christ commenced His reign from the cross." Examine whether or not you belong to this kingdom, for if you belong to the world, that is, if you seek after the things which belong to it, you do not belong to Him. Christ says of His disciples: "They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world." (John 17:4) Learn hence duly to appreciate the virtues of the Cross.

CHRIST IS SENT TO HEROD.

I.

Pilate did all that he could to set Christ at liberty, for, as he said himself: "I find no cause in this man." The Pharisees, on the other hand, "were more earnest, saying, He stirrith up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, to this place." (Luke 23:4-5) Pilate from this took occasion to send Him to Herod, because, as a Galilean, He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction. Christ, therefore, bound as a malefactor, and guarded by soldiers, is led by the priests to Herod. Thus is our Blessed Redeemer dragged from one tribunal to another, and exposed to the public view and scorn of the whole city. Good God, how insults and affronts thicken upon Thee, and how fully are verified the words of thy Prophet: "All those who passed by the way have clapped their hands at Thee, they have hissed and wagged their heads"! (Lam. 2:15)

II.

At first, Christ is civilly entertained by Herod, because he expected to see Him work some miracle; but the pure Lamb of God, from abhorrence to His impure life, refused to gratify His curiosity, and would not owe His life, which He ardently desired to lay down for us, to the favor or courtesy of the Governor of Galilee. Although "the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing Him" (Luke 23:10), He refused to utter a word in His own defense. Admire and imitate the courage and constancy of His mind, which could not be overcome either by flattery or ill-usage. Learn, also, to be reserved with persons of impure conduct, unless you have certain hopes of converting them. Reflect also what a punishment to the sinner, when Christ speaks no more to His hardened conscience.

III.

"And Herod, with his soldiers, despised Him, and mocked Him, putting on Him a white garment." (Luke 23:11) The eternal Wisdom of God is deemed a fool, and considered as one who from simplicity had called Himself a king, and is treated as such by the king and his whole court, who took delight in insulting Him. Thus attired, Christ is sent back again to Pilate, and proclaimed, as He passed along, to be an idiot and an imaginary king. "The word of the cross to them indeed that perish is foolishness, but to them who are saved" that is, to us, "it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:18) Good Lord, is it thus that you attempt to cure my pride and arrogance? With how much truth did thy Apostle say: "If any man among you seem to be wise, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." (1 Cor. 3:18)

BARABBAS IS PREFERRED TO CHRIST.

I.

"Upon the solemn day, the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would." (Matt, 27:15) Hence, desirous of rescuing Jesus, whose innocence was perfectly evident, Pilate put Him in competition with Barabbas, a seditious assassin. He then asked the Jews which of the two he should deliver. Contemplate the comparison which Pilate makes: Light is compared with darkness, the Author of Life with a murderer, our sovereign Benefactor with a robber. Christ, however, did not disdain it.

II.

Consider the most foolish and unjust demand of the people: "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas." (Luke 23:18) It was an ignominious act to compare Jesus to this man, but most insolent and ignominious to prefer him to Jesus. Now is the oracle of the Prophet perfectly fulfilled: "I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. " (Ps. 21:7) What are the opinions and judgments of this world? What wise man would place any confidence in them, or care whether he were an object of their censure or of their praise? As often as you sin mortally, you pass the same judgment as the Jews did, by preferring in your heart some momentary pleasure to an infinite good, some creature to the Creator, some Barabbas to Christ.

III.

Pilate asked: "What shall I do then with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22) The people tumultuously answer: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" (Luke 23:21) Observe with what modesty and patience Christ suffered these insults. Often ask yourself this question: And what shall I do with Jesus? Will you esteem, love, serve, and honor Him as you ought, or insult, afflict, and crucify Him again? All sinners act thus, "crucifying again to themselves," as the Apostle teaches, "the Son of God, and making a mockery of Him." (Heb. 6:6)

CHRIST IS SCOURGED. I.

I.

"Then, therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged Him." (John 19:1) He did this cruel act in order that he might satisfy the malice of the Jews, and afterwards set his prisoner at liberty. This sentence was unjust, infamous, and cruel. It was unjust, because it was pronounced against a man whom the judge had pronounced to be innocent. It was infamous, because it was the punishment inflicted on common slaves. It was cruel, for it was purposely inflicted to satisfy the fury of the Jews. Observe, however, how readily and cheerfully Christ accepts of it, saying with the Prophet: "I am ready for scourges" (Ps. 37:18), in order that I may atone for your sins.

II.

As soon as the sentence was uttered, the ready soldiers impudently strip Him of all His clothes, and bind Him to a pillar. Imagine the modest shame and virginal blushes of this chaste Lamb of God, when He was thus exposed, all naked, to the eyes of a rude and licentious multitude. Observe with what readiness He stretches out His arms to be bound, without making the least complaint or resistance. During this cruel scene, imagine you hear Him addressing you: " Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart." (Matt. 11:29)

III.

Ponder the cruelty of this scourging. Ascetics say that the instruments used were of three kinds, viz., thorny rods, sinews of beasts, and chains. His pains were greater in consequence of His being already almost exhausted by His bloody sweat, His ill-usage, restless night, and painful journey that morning. The fury of His tormentors was, besides, increased by the surrounding Pharisees, who excited their cruelty. It was revealed to St. Brigit, a Saint devoutly attached to the contemplation of Christ's sufferings, that the number of stripes exceeded five thousand; whilst the law of Moses forbade that a common malefactor should receive forty. Thus was the oracle of Isaiah fulfilled: "From the sole of the foot unto the top of the head there is no soundness therein: wounds and bruises and swelling sores; they are not bound up nor dressed nor fomented with oil." (Isa. 1:6)

CHRIST IS SCOURGED. II.

Imagine you see Christ our Lord bound to the pillar, surrounded by a company of insolent soldiers, and examine the general circumstances of this cruel scene.

Who is He that is bound to the pillar? The only begotten Son of God, "the splendor of His glory and the figure of His substance. He is higher than heaven and deeper than hell; He is the most high Creator, almighty and powerful King, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon His throne, and is the God of dominion." (Heb. 1:3; Job 11:8; Ecclus. 1:8)

Where does this scene take place? In the midst of a populous city, in the open court of the president, in presence of a whole legion of soldiers, and the populace of a large city.

With what helps? He is destitute of all human assistance. There was no one to appear in His defense. "I looked about and there was none to help, I sought and there was none to give aid." (Isa. 63:5)

Why does He suffer all this? To wash away your sins with His blood. He received on His shoulders stripes which you have deserved, verifying the prediction of the Prophet: "He will overshadow thee with His shoulders." (Ps. 90:4) He suffered from man, for man.

How does He suffer? By His own free choice, cheerfully, constantly, and in silence. "He was dumb as a lamb before His shearers." (Isa. 53:7)

When did this scene take place? During the solemn festival of the pasch, at a time when the city was unusually crowded with strangers who had resorted thither from all parts to celebrate the feast. These circumstances increased the ignominy of His sufferings and the dismay of the sufferer.