Sentenced

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?” Matthew 26:57-68

In this country, the population of our prisons are overwhelming people of color. Although we talk about fair trials and equal justice, the truth is harder to bear. We jail Black, Latinos and Indigenous people more than any other groups. They are often those without decent lawyers and the money to pay for their defense. In our Gospel, we find Jesus, a poor man of color, standing before the high priest, who has already decided his fate. When we visit prisons, so we see Jesus among them? When we watch the news do we imagine the arrest of our Savior? 

Dearest Creator, source of true justice and freedom

you call us to compassion and daily forgiveness

yet we clamor to jail all those we are afraid of

and turn our eyes away from true human need.

Give us new eyes and new spirits, O Lord

help us to see your face among the accused

move us to compassion and action for the poor

and make us your people on this earth again. Amen.