1st Week of Lent-Trials Before Annas and Caiphas

"Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit, to be tempted by the devil." St. Matthew, 4:1.

In the life of Pope Pius IX we read of a striking meeting he had with Czar Nicholas I of Russia. For thirty years, from 1825 to 1855, the cruel Nicholas had lorded it over the Russians and many others. During his reign the Polish nuns at Minsk were "starved, flogged to death, and buried alive." How similar to the Russian treatment of the Poles until a fews years ago. History repeats. Only one nun survived to tell the heartless story, Mother Makrina; and the story got to the ears of the Holy Father.

When Nicholas came on a visit to Rome he made a formal call at the Vatican, but Pope Pius IX received him coldly, addressing him in these solemn words:

"You are one of the mightiest monarchs in the world, and I am a feeble old man, the servant of servants. But I cite you to meet me again, to meet me before the throne of the Judge of the world, and to answer there for your treatment of the nuns of Minsk."

Here was right, face to face with might. Might prevails for a time; right prevails for eternity.

How similar this scene to the one we will contemplate today - Christ be­fore the Jewish leaders Annas and Caiphas. Let me list the trials of that night. After the Last Supper and Agony in the Garden, about midnight, Judas betrayed Our Lord to His enemies, who hurried Him to Annas, a former high priest. He in turn sent Christ to Caiphas. About eight o'clock in the' morning Pilate was to pass sentence, but hearing that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Him to Herod. Herod insulted Our Lord and sent Him back to Pilate who finally condemned Him to crucifixion. Five trials there were: Annas to Caiphas to Pilate to Herod and back to Pilate.

Consider today two of those trials. Annas, though no longer high priest took it upon himself to sit in judgment upon Our Lord. Annas questioned Christ but to no avail.

First he wanted to know the names of Christ's disciples. But Christ would not betray those who had betrayed Him. Then Annas asked about His doctrine. Christ's answer was calm and clear:

"I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in the syna­gogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why dost thou question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, these know what I have said." (St. John 18:20,21).

Annas could find no words, so a fawning subordinate soldier gave Jesus a blow. Turning to this coward of cowards Christ said:

"If I have spoken ill, bear witness to the evil; but if well, why dost thou strike me?" (St. John 18:23).

In angry desperation Annas hurried Jesus to the court of Caiphas, where the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus that they might put Him to death. Many false accusers were brought in, and many false accusations were made, but their charges did not agree.

One swore that Christ forbade the people to pay tribute to Caesar. Another, that Jesus stirred the people to sedition; He broke the Sabbath; He would not allow them to punish the adulteress; He associated with sinners; He criticized unworthy leaders; He worked miracles through the devil; He said He could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.

In the midst of all these conflicting charges Jesus answered not a word. Finally Caiphas leaps to his feet, shakes his skinny finger into the face of Christ and screeches:

"I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God." (St. Matthew, 26:63).

Jesus answered:

"Thou hast said it." (St. Matthew, 26:64) "Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming upon the clouds of heaven."

How the words of Pope Pius IX to Czar Nicholas echo these words of
Christ to Caiphas.

This answer of Christ was clear: I am the Son of God. That is how they understood Him; that is why they put Him to death, for the council cried out:

"He is liable to death." (St. Matthew, 26:66).

They spat in His face, pushed Him, and struck Him.

What Christ went through the rest of that night we shall consider later. Stop here. Fix deeply in your mind this trial before Caiphas.

Would that the world could see it clearly! Would that Czar Nicholas had thought of this scene before he conducted the trial and torture of the nuns of Minsk!

Would that every tyrant could realize that the tables will be turned; that hereafter, sometimes even in this life, sometimes in a very short while, as in the trials at Nuremburg after World War II - hereafter those who persecute, those who torture, those who take advantage of others will see the true Judge, the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of God to pass unerring sentence upon all, to render real rewards and real punishments.

Jesus was helpless before Caiphas; Pope Pius IX, the nuns of Minsk, were helpless before Nicholas. The victims of abortion, dishonesty, unkindness, immorality, anger and hatred, are helpless before those who make them suffer. But the roles will be reversed, sometimes even here. Have you ever been a Caiphas? Then take warning. Have you ever suffered with Christ? Then take heart!
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Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, 1946