As we approach the season of Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries of The Most Holy Rosary might be a good way to enable us to contemplate the Passion, the final hours of Christ. The five Mysteries are:
- The Agony in the Garden
- Scourging at the Pillar
- Crowning with Thorns
- Carrying the Cross
- Crucifixion
We may want to reflect on how Christ’s great sacrifice has vital, personal meaning for each of us today.
The Agony in the Garden—
Jesus prayed, knowing that He would do what His Father willed. His words to His apostles could be as true to us today as they were then…”Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Do we pray that God will help us avoid temptation? Do we seek God’s will for us rather than relying our own will to honor God?
Scourging at the Pillar—
Pilate replied to the crowd, “I have found in him no guilt demanding death, therefore, I will punish him.” Luke 23:22
Through our words and actions, have we, like Pilate and the angry crowd, condemned Christ, turning away from what is morally right? Do we put our own wants and needs before our brothers and sisters?
Crowning with Thorns—
“And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they knelt down before him and mocked him saying, ‘Hail the King of the Jews!’” Matthew 27:29
Like the soldiers, have we disrespected Christ in any way? Have we taken the time to really know who Jesus is? Do we try to rationalize our faith, making God into our idea of what He should be rather than who He truly is?
Carrying the Cross—
“They took Jesus, therefore, and he went out, bearing his cross.” John 19:17
The Bible tells us that this was Christ’s cross, but in reality it was ours….Jesus carried and died on the cross for us. Do we add to the weight of Jesus’ cross when we sin? Do we realize and remember that Christ had no sin, but readily carried ours?
Crucifixion—
“Therefore, when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished’, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30
Jesus gave His life for each of us. How can we follow His example? Do we make sacrifices for others or do we think only of ourselves?
As we prepare to enter in to this season of Lent, may we all realize the great gift of sacrifice given freely to us by our Lord Jesus Christ and may we all practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy doing our best to imitate Christ. Amen.
