Easter Greeting 2026

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, in his teaching on the Passion of our Lord, points out that when Pilate’s wife was disturbed in a dream, this disturbance did not arise from God or from an Angel, but rather, from his perspective, from the devil. At some point during the unfolding of the Passion, the devil, though he had entered Judas and stirred up events, may have perceived the impending destruction of his own kingdom and sought, in confusion, to hinder what he himself had set in motion.

Furthermore, St. Bernard explains that when Christ says to Pilate, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above,” this must be understood within the fallen order in which mankind still labors under sin and the influence of the “prince of this world.” Pilate’s authority is permitted from above, yet exercised within that disordered realm, and thus becomes the instrument by which Christ is put to death.  It is interesting to consider that Pilate's hesitation is not arising from some inner clinging to goodness or belief in justice, but, in a sense, from anxiety coming from the own anxiousness of the devil.

In reflecting on St. Bernard’s teaching, this interpretation appears coherent. Our Lord is one, he would not prevent his passion through a dream to Pilates wife, and in their conversing gives Pilate what he wanted, a believable out, the type of out that an unspiritual man would want.  Enough evidence to absolve himself from guilt, while still participating in a horrible evil.  The Devil makes Pilate anxious of putting this man to death, and our Lord counters this be the plain speaking of truth.  Of course Pilate then is able to convince himself that he lacks guilt (washing his hand in the basin), even though Our Lord just said that his guilt is less.    It is enough for Pilate at the time to get to the next stage of the Passion.

In the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday, we see the manifestation of His immense power. This recalls the templar hymn crucem sanctam subiit and the image of Christ girded with strength. It also echoes the ancient liturgies invocation on Easter of Psalm 68 is proclaimed: “Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered.”  “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men”, the senes where overwhelmed by the terrible power and beauty of the angel.   Yet even after such a profound experience at the level of the bodies terror and the stirring of the emotions, they were easily swayed by money. They accepted payment and spread lies, plausible lies to the casual hearer, readily received by those disposed to believe them.  After all, it is easier to believe one has slain a blasphemer than to admit an Angel descending from heaven to move a stone.

And it is in this context, the anxiety of Pilate’s wife, the attempt to avoid putting Christ to death even as Pilate ultimately consents, the soul-shattering disruption of the soldiers’ senses, and their quick acceptance of bribes,we begin to understand the pattern: believable lies, the avoidance of trouble, and the weakness of fallen man.

It is in this same context that we can understand why our Lord came to the Apostles in the upper room and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).

Evil is anxious. Evil is restless. Evil advances, then recoils. Evil excuses itself. Evil looks for false pretenses.  Evil just needs a bribe.

To take up the cross and follow Him is not something to be dreaded, but rather it is the only way to have peace in this life.

St Bernard said  "Let us remain on the Cross, Let us die on the Cross; let us be taken down by the hands of others, not by our own fickleness”

A peaceful Easter to you.