MEDITATION ON OUR LORD'S PASSION: And Blaspheming, They Spake Many Other Things Against Him

GIOTTO di Bondone 

No. 33 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 17. Mocking of Christ 

1304-06

And blaspheming, they spake many other things against him.

Enter thou into the high Priests Court, and consider what these wicked officers did all night, and what Christ suffered. Saint Theophilact saith, that they being drunk at their supper did many things very want only, according to that saying: They did sign against me which did drink wine. And because the Evangelist doth conclude the labor of the whole night in these few words, look thou into the writings of the Prophets what they say of these illusions: Isaias: I gave my body to the stickers, and my cheeks to the pinchers: I have not turned my face from them that rebuked and spit upon me: I have put my face as a most hard rock. Hyeremais: He shall give his cheek to him that will strike him, he shall be satiated with reproaches. Job: They opened their mouths against me, and upbraiding they stroke my cheek, they are satiated with my pains.

Hereby is signified: First that the whole body of Christ was stricken most cruel, beaten with staves, fists, and feet; for these words seem to signify so much: I gave my body to them that would strike. Secondly, that his beard was pulled off, and his face bloody. Thirdly that the visage of Christ was beaten with fists, and made blue: Fourthly, that he suffered divers kinds of mockings and illusions: and to be brief, that nothing was omitted that could be devised for his pain:They are satiated (saith he) with my pains: for think, that the officers used our Lord this night by the consent of the high priests in such manner, that although he should not be crucified, yet he could not by nature continue long alive.

Therefore it is, not to marveled at, though he were dead sooner then Pilate expected. Do thou also behold Christ, mark his face, (which was exposed to blows) so amiable, his eyes breathing forth love, expressing so much more charity in them, by how much our Lord was beaten with stripes. The Priests departed now to take their rest, and the officers likewise framed themselves to sleep: only the Spouse of thy soul could take no rest, for he must take no other sleep then on the bed of the Cross.

Pray him that his unquiet rest may bring everlasting rest to thy soul.

Fr. Francis Costerus S.J. 1616