Tractatus Prior, Pars Altera, Cap. 10. Praesentatio et statio Domini lesu coram Pilato.

Tractatus Prior, Pars Altera, Cap. 10. Praesentatio et statio Domini lesu coram Pilato.

I bless you and give thanks to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most just judge of the living and the dead, for that confusing presentation of yourself before Pilate the governor. Indeed, early in the morning, at the hour of the first prayers, all the chief priests gathered together in one place, and having formed a wicked council, they handed you over to death, bound by the hands of their servants, to a man who was uncircumcised and a Gentile, presenting you to the governor with the gravest accusations, falsely charging your innocence, daring to call you a criminal and a subverter of their nation, the very one whom the holy prophets once sang of as the Savior of the world in great praises. O horrendous impiety of the Jews, to accuse the innocent with false witnesses, wanting to kill the author of life, seeking to have Christ the King crucified, desiring to condemn the holy and just to the most shameful death. Let all who pursue you be confounded and filled with reverence, for they are worthy to suffer worse punishments. I praise and glorify you, revered Jesus, for the great goodness of your character and the honorable stance you showed before the tribunal of Judge Pilate, where you stood bound in chains like the most gentle lamb, with your head bowed, your eyes fixed on the ground, your face calm, speaking only a few words, your voice subdued, ready for insults and prepared for blows. Look now and consider, devout disciple of Christ, how your Lord and Savior, the King and Judge of all, allows Himself to be led for judgment, humbly and willingly submitting to the authority of worldly powers. In this, He has set an example of the most beneficial submission for you, so that you may learn to accuse yourself, especially since you are truly guilty in many offenses, and bear patiently when you are proclaimed by others. Humbly submit yourself to the judgment of those in authority, and don’t dare to resist the power established by God; if you wish to escape the punishments of hell, bear patiently, for the love of Jesus, the unjust judgment against you, even if something serious has been declared against you. Don't let the amazing patience of God pass by without notice in your heart, especially when so many false accusations are thrown at you. Therefore, kneel before the holy feet of Jesus, bound, asking for mercy and grace, so that He may forgive all your neglects and rather correct your excesses of mercy in this time, than reserve you for condemnation with the reprobate in the future. Have mercy, good Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner, for my soul is bound to You. Inspire a good spirit in me, that it may ignite a deeper fervor for growth, so that I may strive to humble myself with all my heart, to bend and submit to my superiors, and to bear all that has been commanded of me. Don't be afraid of human judgments or receive accusations indignantly, but choose to be exercised, to be reproved and disciplined, so that the swelling pride may be crushed to the ground, and your own will may be brought to nothing, so that your love for me may grow stronger through your contempt for yourself in every moment and be lifted up to something higher.