The Mother and the Governor...

[Michie]

We say their names at every Sunday Mass. We recall them at the start of every Rosary. They are the only two, non-divine persons referred to by name in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. They are the Virgin Mary and Pontius Pilate.

“For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Consider how many other figures from salvation history could have been justifiably cited in these creeds; from Adam and Eve to Peter and Paul. Yet only Mary and Pilate are mentioned. Why? At the heart of human history, where on our timeline B.C. becomes A.D., the eternal Son of God became man. Our Savior lives not “Once upon a time.” He is born, suffers, dies, and rises in flesh and blood reality. Mary, the woman who gave him life and Pilate, the man who put him to death, ground Jesus Christ, our Gospel, and our salvation in real human history.

Mary and Pilate are not merely historical figures but also archetypes. They represent two patterns, two types of people we can learn from: Mary, whose good example we should follow, and Pilate, whose bad example we should avoid. Recounting the gospel accounts of the Roman trial during Christ’s Passion, let us compare, contrast, and profit from contemplating Governor Pontius Pilate and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Consider to these reflections for what lessons you can gain.

On Good Friday morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

Continued below.

The Mother & The Governor

By Fr. Victor Feltes We say their names at every Sunday Mass. We recall them at the start of every Rosary. They are the only two, non-divine persons referred to by name in the Nicene and Apostles’ …

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[Wolseley]

Actually, Pilate was not the "governor", strictly speaking. Allowing for some leeway of a few years before or after, the governor would have been one of three men: Lucius Aelius Lamia (governor of Roman Syria from 22 AD to 32 AD); Lucius Pomponius Flaccus (32 AD to 35 AD); or Lucius Vitellius (35 AD to 39 AD).

Pilate was officially the Prelate of Judaea (in office from 26 AD to 36 AD). Judaea was more or less a satellite domain of the Roman province of Syria, with Pilate reporting to the actual governor, who, of course, reported directly to Caesar.

But that's just a nitpick. We all know who Pilate was, and what he did.