Sorrowful Mysteries

III. The crowning with thorns

Christ has been officially sentenced to death. However, the soldiers were in no hurry to finish off their prey. To the twisted wits of the soldiers, the praetorium courtyard suggested a mock court, and Jesus a mock King. Injury was added to insult when they clamped the King’s head in a royal crown, studded with thorns.

Jesus, the innocence of God, had no safeguard against pain.

IV. The carrying of the Cross
“Simon, a Cyrenian, carried the cross behind Jesus.”
Luke 23:26

By God’s command, the Mosaic Law summoned every Jewish man to the Holy City for the Passover. Simon, from faraway Cyrene, was only one poor, tired rustic among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims dutifully thronging to Jerusalem. By chance he crossed the path of the soldiers leading Jesus to Calvary; by chance, Jesus fell to His knees just then; by chance, the guards caught sight of Simon and bullied him into service. Simon was taking part in the solemn ritual for which he had come – the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb.

It is characteristic of the cross that it comes to us “by chance.” Let us remember, when we suffer, Jesus is with us in our pain helping us carry our cross.

V. The Crucifixion

"One of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine; and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink.”
Matt. 27:48

The bite of the whip kept Jesus conscious until He reached Calvary. There two soldiers tore away His clothing, which the drying blood had glued to His lashed Body. The morning’s endless scourging was relived in a single moment. Jesus reeled from the sudden torture. A coarse narcotic of wine, myrrh, and incense was put quickly to His lips – not to relieve His thirst, but to numb His senses. Jesus did not take the drug.

The gate of heaven has a cross for a key. It is Jesus who forged the key.

( Rosary meditations taken from The Holy Cross Family Ministries )