THE HOUR OF TRIAL
(Holy Thursday Post)
"But Pilate asked, "What crime has he committed?" Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: "Crucify him!" When Pilate saw that it was no use to go on, but that a riot might break out, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am not responsible for the death of this man! This is your doing!" The whole crowd answered, "Let the responsibility for his death fall on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:23-25)
The Last Supper
At the Last Supper Jesus Christ transformed the Passover feast to the Eucharistic sacrifice. So it is written: "Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me." In the same way, he gave them the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is God's new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you."" (Luke 22:19-20)
For this reason the Holy Catholic Church adores Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday vigil night. Jesus Christ is physically and truly present in the Eucharist - in his Body, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist is the memorial of his Passion, Death and Resurrection. This Adoration of the Holy Eucharist is a singular occasion for us to ask for God's mercy and to make reparations for our own sins and for the sins of the whole world. For we are all responsible for the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross (Matthew 27 : 25). And each time we sin we accuse Jesus before Pilate.
Eucharistic Adoration
At this Adoration we also offer our forgiveness for those who have offended or hurt us in any way, and pray for the grace of perfect conversion of ourselves and of all sinners in the world. In this way we unite ourselves fully - our bodies, souls and spirits - with Jesus Christ; to foster and to accomplish his work of salvation for us and for the whole world. These are Christian sacrifices we are called to make in order to build and solidify our relationship with God, through Christ, and to bring unity, peace and well-being to ourselves, to our families, to our countries, and to the whole world.
Human Ingratitude
Jesus healed the sick, delivered the captives, fed the hungry, and taught the ignorant. But at the Hour of his Trial (passion) not a single soul stood by him, or even confessed to knowing him (Peter, his right hand man, even denied him three times). Instead, the multitude and all those who had benefited from his good works cried out to Pirate, "Crucify him! Crucify him". And, then, he was handed over to his murderers.
The Hour of Trial
From the example of Christ we learn, also, as human beings to not expect anyone to stand by us at the Hour of Trial. We should not blame or curse those who accuse or deny us in our painful moments in life. For many whom we brought up, supported in life, or rendered help in several ways, will deny, abandon, betray, mock or even accuse us, at our Hour of Trial. If at the time of pain and difficulties we simply assume or expect that our dear friends, children and relatives will come to our help, we may become very bitter and even desperate when they disappoint us. (If they do - support or abandon us - let's give glory to God.)
God Is Faithful
We should, rather, turn to God - pray and trust in him. For only he can save us (Acts 4:11-12). Our Lord, Jesus, justifies us, who believe in him, by his Blood; and through our trials we come to share in his glory - just as by his passion he passed through his death into eternal glory with the Father in heaven. When we trust in God and call on him at our Hour of Trial he would send us help that no one could ever imagine, and from where we never expected. And when things turn around, finally, for our good, our mockers, critics and judges are embarrassed and stupefied by what they hear and see. This is how our faithfulness and union with Christ in times of trials and tribulations bring us to reflect the glory of God (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Imitation of Christ
We can now see why in his Hour of Trial Jesus did not say to John, "Where are you?" or to Peter, "Why do you deny me?". Instead, he cried out to his Father, "Eli, Eli lema sabactani" (My Father, my Father; why have you abandoned me") (Matthew 27:46). And for the ones who crucified and mocked him, Jesus prayed: "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The lessons we learn here are that: despite the ingratitude and indifference of others, we should never be tired or discouraged from doing good works. And when we do good works, we should not consider the faces of our beneficiaries - but do all things for the glory of God in heaven. For at our Hour of Trial, whether in this life or on the Last Day, only God will save us. Then our good works would speak for us; no matter whether our beneficiaries stand for us, against us, or are silent.
Let us pray :
May the grace of God from this Holy Thursday carry us through the Easter Triduum to enter into the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday; Amen.
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