Third Station, Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, Way of the Cross 2008

Way of the Cross - 20th Century
Society of the Divine Word Generalate Archives - Rome

THIRD STATION
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin

V/. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
R/. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

From the Gospel according to Mark 14: 55, 61b-62a, 64b

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. The high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?". And Jesus said, "I am!" And they all condemned him as deserving death.

MEDITATION

The Sanhedrin was the court of justice of God's people. Now this court condemns Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, and judges him to be deserving of death.

The Innocent One is condemned "because he has blasphemed", say the judges, and they tear their garments. Yet we know from the Evangelist that they did so through envy and hatred.

St John says that ultimately the high priest had spoken in God's Name: only by allowing his innocent Son to be condemned could God the Father save the guilty brothers of Jesus.

Across the centuries, hosts of innocent people have been condemned to atrocious sufferings. Some cry out against the injustice, but it is they, the innocent, who, in communion with Christ, the Innocent One, atone for the sins of the world.

PRAYER

Jesus, you are not concerned to prove your innocence, you are solely intent upon restoring to man the righteousness that he lost through sin.

We were your enemies, there was no way for us to change our condition. You let yourself be condemned in order to grant us forgiveness. Saviour, help us to avoid bringing condemnation upon ourselves on the last day. "Iudex ergo cum sedebit, quicquid latet apparebit; nil inultum remanebit. Iuste iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis".

All:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.

O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedica
mater Unigeniti!