Offered to the congregation of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka, KS
Focus Text: Mark 15.1-15
28 March 2012
————
I used to enjoy the silence.
It’s silent now.
So… silent.
It was supposed to be just a normal Friday. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t imagine that my day would turn out like this. I didn’t imagine I’d be sitting here questioning every decision I’ve ever made. He was just a stupid criminal… but if so, why do I feel like the past 30 minutes were the most important minutes of my life.
This was supposed to be a promotion, Prefect of Judaea; it’s a small, silent part of the Empire. This was supposed to be an easy position. Before my time, the Jews had been well behaved. As long as we let Them have Their Temple, They pay Their taxes and don’t cause any problems for Us.
It was supposed to be silent.
But today… today They came to me. Normally I don’t have to talk to them, but these Jews… They wanted to kill a man! They drug his pitiful body behind them as they entered. They said he claimed to be the King of the Jews.
I asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
“You say so,” he replied.
“You say so?” What was that supposed to mean? I’d never met this man or said anything about him…
The Jews started yelling. Cursing him and accusing him of terrible things; cursing his mother, accusing him of blasphemy; cursing the ground upon which he has walked, accusing him of consorting with demons.
And he remained silent.
So… silent
I implored him, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you!” If he had defended himself I might have been able to use his testimony to his advantage!
But he remained silent.
So… silent.
I brought him out to the balcony. I thought… for sure the people wouldn’t want to see this man punished. I offered to let them have him released; but they wanted that revolutionary released… Barabbas? Was that his name? Their names all sound the same to me.
It was so loud out there! “Crucify him!” They kept shouting, “Crucify him!”
I looked to him. Would he defend himself now?
But he remained silent.
So… silent.
And the crowd kept roaring. Louder and Louder and Louder. What was I to do?
I remained silent.
I sent him to his death.
And now I sit… in silence.
And I feel it closing in upon me.
The silence laughs at me and judges me for not speaking up.
I used to enjoy the silence.
fatherfun 