Jesus enters into His Passion in the Agony of the Garden of Gethsemane, overcomes Satan’s attacks and resolves to do the Almighty Father’s will. Jesus demonstrates His complete control by physically knocking the arresting mob to the ground and protecting His Apostles from arrest. The Apostles attempt to fight but flee, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus surrenders Himself to the soldiers and police.
Jesus is taken to Annas, the highly influential former high priest of the Jews and father-in-law of the current high priest Caiaphas (Jn 18:13-14, 19-23). Annas attempts to interrogate Jesus, but Jesus boldly refuses, instead confirming He has spoken openly and hidden nothing and challenges Annas to produce witnesses; when a guard strikes Jesus in the face for supposed disrespect of the high priest, Jesus demands the guard justify his unjust act. Annas, having unjustly satisfied himself with Jesus’ guilt, sends Jesus, bound, to Caiaphas.
In the meantime, demonstrating their evil conspiracy to kill Jesus, the high priest Caiaphas assembled the Sanhedrin to quickly condemn Jesus. Caiaphas, seated like a judge, oversees a prearranged parade of false witnesses which fail to convict Jesus. Finally, two men accurately report Jesus had revealed He could rebuild the Temple in three days (Jn 2:19), a human impossibility, failing to comprehend Jesus’ prophecy of His Crucifixion and Resurrection three days later. Frustrated at Jesus’ silence, Caiaphas stands and challenges Jesus, asking if Jesus is “the Son of God.” Jesus confirms He is the Son of God and they will see Him seated at the right hand of power and He will return, “coming on the clouds of Heaven.” Furious, Caiaphas tears his sacred robe, falsely accusing Jesus of blasphemy, but unwittingly abdicates his priesthood (Lev 10:6) and confirms Jesus as the Divine Priest. Jesus is blindfolded, spit upon, slapped, struck with fists, mocked, insulted, and beaten by the guards (Mk 14:65). At daybreak, Caiaphas receives a unanimous verdict from the Sanhedrin, sentencing Jesus to death and delivers Him to Pilate (Mt 27:1-2). Judas repents, returns the blood money bribe to the Jewish priests and commits suicide; the evil priests realize their blood money bribe is unclean for the Temple treasury.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be astounded by how Jesus the Divine Judge allows His attackers to condemn themselves: Caiaphas condemns himself when he falsely accuses Jesus of blasphemy and tears his robes; the Sanhedrin condemn themselves by falsely condemning Him to death; the temple priests condemn themselves when they realize their returned blood money is unclean.
Bear love instead of false witness
Realize: Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin collude to kill Jesus by arranging false witnesses, a clear violation of The 8th Commandment; every Catholic man should vigilantly strive to never bear false witness and keep The 8th Commandment.
Believe: Review the Offenses Against Truth (CCC 2475-2487).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Kindness (a part of Justice) so I never falsely condemn others in my hidden thoughts or my public words and actions, and instead offer Works of Mercy when called by You to do so.
Hope in God and be protected from suicide
Realize: Judas lacks hope, falls into despair, and commits suicide, a grave sin which breaks The 5th Commandment.
Believe: Reflect upon the Sin of Despair (CCC 2091) and the grave sin of Suicide (CCC 2280-2283, 2325).
Pray: Jesus, Giver of Life, help me build the Virtue of Hope so I never despair to the point of suicide and always trust in Your Justice and Mercy for the poor souls who have killed themselves.