An intriguing text. First, the reflection on an apparent atrocity perpetrated by the Roman governor — folks beaten and killed in the midst of their religious observance. Apparently, Pilate was flexing Roman muscle to make sure no Jewish Zealots would consider fomenting an insurrection. Too bad. But those Galileans should have kept to their own territory rather than coming down to Jerusalem to further their political schemes. As painful as it might be to admit, perhaps Pilate had to do what Pilate had to do. They got what they deserved.

Then there was that story of the eighteen people crushed by the horrible collapse of the tower of Siloam, a construction project gone drastically wrong. Word on the street was that the disaster would never have happened had not Pilate stolen the money to f…