What have you done?
At the age of 12years, in secondary school, a number of us were sent to the dean’s office for not completing our French homework. When the dean, a priest, arrived, he asked us ‘what have you done?’ and on learning of our misdemeanor, proceeded to apply, to each of us, two thick leather straps on the palm of our hand.
When I read the line in this week’s Gospel, John 18: 33-37, where Pilate asks Jesus, ‘Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?’ I was reminded of the incident. I wondered if the similarity to this Gospel phrase ever occurred to the dean—who, as I came to know him later in life as a parish priest, was a very wise and amiable man.
The difference is that we were guilty of not completing our assignment, while Jesus had reminded the Jews earlier in John 10: 31-33 that he had only done good works ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you plan to stone Me?’
I thought of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus, one of them said ‘Have you no fear of God,… we have been condemned justly for the crimes we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong’ Luke 23: 40
Reflecting on the Gospel, I was struck by how Jesus, despite being blameless, bore the weight of condemnation with humility and forgiveness. In the case of the criminals condemned with Jesus, and even our own boyhood lapse, the punishment was meant to teach accountability for actions, and St Luke compares it to the unjust suffering Jesus endured for the sake of humanity.
The incidents reminded me of how often we fail to recognize goodness in others and instead focus on their faults, much like the crowd before Pilate. Jesus’ response to injustice invites us to examine our hearts and choose mercy over judgment.
He invites us to seek understanding, to look for the goodness in others, and to extend the mercy we ourselves hope to receive. By doing so, we not only follow His example but also foster a spirit of reconciliation and peace in our relationships, building up rather than tearing down.
Let us not be too quick to criticize, to condemn, but instead try to understand and to see the situation through the lens of compassion and mercy. When we pause to understand, we open our hearts to the possibility of healing and reconciliation.
This Advent season invites us to prepare not only for the coming of Christ but also for His transformative work in our lives. Let us strive to embody His love by offering patience, forgiveness, and kindness to those around us. In doing so, we reflect the light of Christ and bring hope to a world that so desperately needs it.