Sunday, July 22, 2012

And The Crowd Goes Wild

I've mentioned before that I like to listen to the Rosary on long car rides.  


One of the versions I have on CD recites a few passages of scripture at each Mystery, and I have found it really helps me think about, and reflect on, each decade. 


The other day, as I was listening to the Sorrowful mysteries, the passage about Pilate offering to release Jesus or Barabbas came on.    


Lots of visuals pop in my head every time I hear that passage.  But the other day I imagined I was in that crowd.  I could hear the loud, violent shouts for Barabbas.  I could feel the anger and the chaos.  I could see the sorrow on the face of our Lord.


And I wondered ...


I wondered what I would have done, had I known the full Story that those folks didn't.


I asked myself ... If I was standing there, knowing that Jesus' death meant my Salvation ... wouldn't I have rooted for Pilate to release Barabbas, too? 


I know.  It sounds horrible.  And selfish.  And I felt ashamed I even thought of it.  

And then, in the pool of my embarrassment, I felt His great, unselfish, unwavering Love. 


God Bless.



4 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful reflection, Michael. I too often see myself in that crowd and wonder which way I would have gone. I love your ending. Jesus always lifts us from our shame if we let Him.
Thanks for another insightful post.
God bless.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Michael, the un-answered question is: Did Jesus HAVE to die?

Could God not have redeemed us, and forgiven our sins another way?

Of course He could. But He didn't.

He chose to offer His only Son as Sacrifice for us; thus teaching us love, and obedience; Christ's obedience.

God bless.

Michael said...

Thank you Karinann!

Good question Victor, and I often ask myself that same thing. Was that the only option? Was it the strongest way for God to send His message? Someday, maybe we will get to ask Him.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thank you Michael for the two wonderful comments you just left on my Blog. They are timely, more than you can imagine. And will help me in writing my next post. You're inspirational.

God bless you.