The chief priests, the Pharisees, and the Sanhedrin were led by Caiaphas, the high priest, to consider it necessary to put Jesus to death (Jn 11:50). Otherwise, they feared the Romans would be threatened by Jesus' popularity, and they would sweep away the Jewish sanctuary and nation (Jn 11:48). Forty years after they had killed Jesus to solve their "problem," the Romans nonetheless swept away their sanctuary and nation. Their godless plan backfired.

When we sin by rejecting Jesus to gain or avoid something, we will find that "the wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23). When we sin to get more pleasure, we may get sick or even damn ourselves. When we sin to avoid taking up our crosses, we find ourselves feeling cross, lost, and empty. Jesus said: "Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. What profit does he show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process?" (Lk 9:24-25)

Therefore, let us not reject Jesus. Rather, let us reject anything that leads us away from Him. May each of us say: "Those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ. I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my Wealth" (Phil 3:7-8). Don't crucify Jesus (see Heb 6:6); be crucified with Jesus (Gal 2:19).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 10, 2017

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