The soldiers led him away, into the courtyard, that is the Praetorium,
and they called together the whole cohort.
And they dressed him up in a ‘purple cloak’
and having twisted a thorny crown put it on him.
And they began to greet him ‘Hail, King of the Jews.’
And they beat his head with a stick
and spat on him,
kneeling down they paid homage to him.
And when they had made fun of him,
they took off the cloak and put on him his own clothes.
And they led him out so that they could crucify him.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy,
For your mercy and for your truth’s sake. Amen