So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15 

Gods of Pilate, 

you are loud and lazy, 

following the fashions of the day 

making lies out of love 

and making mockeries of meaning. 

And − so often − we follow you. 

May we instead, follow that small whisper, 

even when we barely hear it, 

even when we barely believe it, 

even when it hurts. 

Because this is what love is. 

This is what love is.

 Amen.