| Title | : | The Wife of Pilate |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 63 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1957 |
In a vivid dream of early morning - and those, she is convinced, are the dreams which always come true - Claudia sees herself running through a series of rooms, crowded with people at prayer. Through each room reverberate the words: ". . . suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried."
The impact of the dream and the events which follow it are told by Miss von le Fort with consummate beauty and depth.
Here is a book which readers will find truly absorbing, written by on of the mose distinguished authors and intellectuals of our time.
The Wife of Pilate Reviews
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What to say about the book?
It is a wonderful spiritual discourse explained in the form of a short story.
The themes are:
1. Justice of God vs Mercy of Christ.
2. Healing of Guilt by Compassion.
3. True Christian Life = Compassion.
4. Compassion = Giving one's life for the salvation of the other.
Outline of the Story:
Pontius Pilate gives in to the demands of Jews and hands over the Innocent One to be crucified. His wife Claudia is not for it for she was previously warned of such crime in the dream. Pilate has the feelings of guilt but being a Roman he had done what was expected of him to do. Claudia understands it but being a good wife longs for his salvation, i.e., freedom from guilt feelings. In her search for the salvation of her beloved husband, she comes to know of Christianity (the sect of Nazarenes). And that offers the long sought solution - the way of compassion.
I have taken extra care to give the outline of the story as dry as possible. Anything other than this would destroy your pleasure when reading the story for the first time.
A Word about the Translation:
I thought the translation was excellent. The translator is Marie C. Buehrle. It read like the original and the language was superb. -
I found this little book thought provoking and touching. It is only small but it made me truly think.
I felt so sorry for Claudia Procula, wife of Pilate. She wanted salvation for herself but even more for her husband. She had tried so hard to convince him of his error. She hoped to save him through her own belief, even offering to take the blame.
This takes us into much deeper contemplation about whether we are solely responsible for ourselves alone or if we are duty bound to save others. If we sin unknowingly then it is a very different thing to doing so with full knowledge. Did Pilate really believe that Jesus was the Son of God? Did he truly know that he had condemned a totally innocent man?
Could the faith of his wife in anyway bring about his own salvation? We pray for the Holy Souls in pergatory would Claudia be able to save the soul of Pilate?
I am not learned enough to work all this out. I know we must have true contrition for our sins in order to be forgiven but I do believe that our prayers for others count. Maybe Jesus forgave Pilate when He said "forgive them Father for they know not what they do."
What a lot of questions to come from such a small book.
Beautiful writing a so realistic, a real gem. -
Beautiful, amazing prose.
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Heart touching book.
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Bad memory remains the same.
