Way of the Cross 1: Jesus Is Condemned to Death. More on VIA SACRA page of "Orações e Milagres Medievais" Way of the Cross First Station: Jesus Is Condemned to Death V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. The judge who committed the most monstrous professional crime in all history was not impelled to do so by the excitement of any burning passion. Nor was he blinded by ideological hatred, by craving for new riches, or by the desire to please some great potentate. He was moved to condemn the Just One by fear – fear of losing his position for apparent lack of zeal for the prerogatives of Caesar; fear of causing himself political complications by having displeased the Jewish mob; and the instinctive fear of saying no, of doing the opposite of what has been asked of one, of facing the crowd with attitudes and opinions different from those that prevail there. For a long time, O Lord, Thou didst fix him with that look which in …Mais