the scourging at the pillar

Pilate speaks: “it is your custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Whom shall I set free: Barabbas—a thief jailed with others for murder—or Jesus?” (Matthew 27:17). The crowd, spurred on by their rulers cry: “Put this man to death and release Barabbas” (Luke 23:18).

Pilate speaks again: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). Crucifige eum: “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:14).

Pilate, for the third time, says to them: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death” (Luke 23:22).

The clamor of the mob grows louder: “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Mark 15:14).

And Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, releases Barabbas to them and orders Jesus to be scourged.

Bound to the pillar. Covered with wounds.

The blows of the lash sound upon his torn flesh, upon his undefiled flesh, which suffers for your sinful flesh. More blows. More fury. Still more . . .. It is the last extreme of human cruelty.

Finally, exhausted, they untie Jesus. And the body of Christ yields to pain and falls limp, broken and half dead.

You and I cannot speak. Words are not needed. Look at him, look at him. . . slowly. After this . . . can you ever fear penance?