Guided reflection:

The chief priests and other religious leaders tried to cover all their bases – they needed the governor to be on their side. They had a laundry list of all the ways in which Jesus had done things wrong… but Jesus never made a comment. He did not say a word in his own defense. Pilate was frustrated - he realized these men had trumped up charges, but what could he do? Why didn’t this Jesus say something in his own defense?

Guided prayer:

“Dear God, I still do not understand why Jesus did the things the way he did them in his trial. It is not mine to decide what was wise or unwise… the whole proceedings just made Him closer to the cross and the empty tomb. Forgive humanity, O God, for the ways we twist the truth. How you must cry over us. Amen”