Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries - Part 2

Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries – Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

     In part 1, we analyzed the first three Sorrowful Mysteries. Now, let us examine the fourth Sorrowful Mystery which is the Carrying of the Cross. The most analytical way to accomplish this task is to reflect on the Stations of the Cross. We all know that Jesus was forced to carry his cross to Calvary. The heavy wight of the cross caused Jesus to fall at least three times on his way to his death. On the way to his death, Jesus met his dear, sorrowful Mother. Oh what grief our Blessed Mother must have felt seeing her Divine Son carrying his cross crowned with thorns. The weight of the cross was so heavy that it caused the Roman Soldiers to order Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry his cross. Oh to have a tape recorder that would record the conversation between Jesus and Simon!!

     On the way to Calvary, Jesus met Veronica who wiped the face of Jesus so that He could see clearly. He also met some women from Jerusalem who were weeping for Him. He told them, “Do not weep for Me, but, for yourselves and your children.” At last, He made it to the place of his death, and now, we will meditate on the Fifth Sorrowful Mystery which is the Crucifixion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

     Jesus was stripped of his clothes which opened all the wounds suffered at his scourging. He was nailed to his cross. The cross was then raised, and Jesus hung on that cross for many hours. Pilate had the charge for his execution nailed to the cross which was “Jesus Christ King of the Jews”. During his time on the cross Jesus asked the Father to forgive his murderers. He was crucified between two thieves. One of the thieves asked Jesus to save all three of them from this horrible fate. The other thief realizing that Jesus did not deserve the same punishment he was receiving asked Our Lord to remember him when He entered into His kingdom. The Lord responded, “this day you will be with Me in paradise”. Jesus saw his Mother at the foot of the cross along with the beloved disciple. He said to His Mother, “Woman, behold thy son”. He told the beloved disciple, “Son, Behold thy mother”.

     Knowing that all things had been fulfilled, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Why did Jesus say this? Jesus who never committed sin was made sin to expiate all our sins. His final phrases were “I thirst” and “It is finished”. After Jesus said this, He died on the cross. At that moment a full eclipse of the sun occurred along with a great earthquake causing the roman centurion to declare , “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” Since the Jews wanted the bodies off the crosses, the Roman soldier broke the legs of the two thieves. Seeing that Jesus was already dead, one of the soldiers pierced the side of Jesus and the remaining blood and water poured from His body. As I wrote before, Jesus shed every drop of His Precious Blood to redeem us.

     The body of Jesus was removed from the cross and placed in the arms of his grieving Mother. Possibly what went through her mind was the first time She held Jesus as a baby. Jesus was then prepared for burial, and was placed in the tomb under the supervision of Mary. We can all thank almighty God that this was not the end for Jesus. We all have “Good Fridays” in our lives, and when we do, we always anticipate an Easter in our lives. This is our anticipation for Jesus. That was His promise to the disciples.

     Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Deo Gratias. Gloria Tibi Domini. Laus Deo. See you in Paradise.