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Hosanna, 1: At Some Old Scholar's Dismay
". . . they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
---Luke 2:46
"Jesus answered . . . he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."
---John 19:11
Stop, Caiphas: spare me your shallow greetings.
They tell me you did not pause for a breath
before your arrogance dared to condemn
Jesus---a prophet out of Nazareth,
preacher, doer of miracles---to death.
And then, with Pilate, you cajoled and lied---
with predjudices that will not defer
to justice---to have Jesus crucified.
You are no shepherd over Israel.
You are, rather, a tool, wielded by hell.
That name, Jesus, I know: it takes me back
to one passover in Jerusalem.
Young Jesus came among us scholars. He
was (by his own admission) twelve years old.
But what he understood, and what he told
us, much astonished our own expectation.
He held us, transfixed, by his conversation.
He spoke humbly to both the heart and head
(unlike you, Caiphas, who speak to fear
always). Our souls were warmed by what he said.
I have been long ill: this is the third year
I am bedfast. My home is insular
against disturbance, and that brings a lack
of current knowledge of Sanhedrin meetings.
But I was well informed, at dawn, of this
miscarriage of our laws, just strewn amiss.
I am not much surprised that you resort
to such a sin-begotten machination.
It stinks of cowardice and desperation.
And you do not, nor will, have my support.
I will not join you in assured damnation.
I doubt you ever listened to the man:
not as I did, when he was just a boy.
And all who listened felt our hearts bestirred,
and all our haunting terrors were bestilled.
But at this sham you dare to call a trial
(by night? without a pause for judgment? vile!)
you did not listen honestly, nor heard
his truth. That is the only way you can
proceed with this wicked and shameful ploy
to give him to the Romans to be killed.
