Pilate the governor

During this week we will take our part in the story of the passion of Jesus.  Palm Sunday and Good Friday, Christians throughout the world will read and hear those solemn lines of the greatest drama of all time.  The scenes and dialogue of the passion are imprinted deeply into our individual and collective consciousness.

But for people like Pilate it was just another day at the praetorium trying to maintain control of a strange society and its strange religion.  With another potential riot ready to break out when thousands of pilgrims are in Jerusalem for Passover Pilate must decide quickly what to do.

In these scenes, for those of Christian faith, time slows down, almost stops, as we absorb their meaning.  But probably they occurred very quickly.   Pilate represents efficient Roman problem solving.

It grieves me when I think about how many people have, in a matter of one or two seconds, rejected an invitation that they seriously consider a vocation to priesthood or religious life.  In one or two seconds, sitting in the judgement seat of the mind, all possibility of the consecrated life is executed.

Ironically the same mouths that proclaim Hosanna this Sunday also curse Jesus during the week.  How do we turn that around?

Simon Peter found the way, Judas did not.  Pausing in faith and recognizing what we have done and failed to do for Jesus and experiencing the actual pain, guilt and shame of it all can lead us to the present moment, a moment where time slows down, almost stops and we can absorb the meaning that God does not abandon us even when we abandon God.  Through wholesome grieving we find ourselves much more sober and able to drink from the cup that the Father invites us to share.

Mark Blom, OMI

If you would like help discerning a vocation to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Religious life or the priesthood please feel free to contact Fr. Mark for guidance.  He can conduct a short vocation assessment by telephone to help you find your way.