Sep 15 | Mark 15:1-11 (Poem)
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ 3Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ 5But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ 10For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
barabbas, barabbas
release for us the son of the father
(not the son of the father of all)
mark says this was not the crowd
this was jealousy
oh, jealousy
much maligned green one
an excuse for anger and resentment
a refuge for those who refuse to abandon objectification
a manor house for hearts too weak or too young
to accept other-ness
the chain willfully put on and dragged about
(like marley’s,
but he carried his too long to escape)
why in life would you pick it up
and why carry it as though you have no choice?
barabbas was no beauty
he inspired no similar envy
all generosity is handed over to the one worthy of scorn
all handsome charity offered to the one who prefers to take than to give life
all accolades served up to the one who spurns solidarity for blood
there will be a reckoning
and it will not be against any monster
she is only a tool
seized
like her object