The Sorrowful Mysteries - Meditations by St. Josemaría Escrivá
The Agony in the Garden
“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Meanwhile, Peter fell asleep. The other Apostles fell asleep too. And you, my little Friend, fell fast asleep... and I turned out to be just as much of a sleepyhead as Peter. Jesus, lonely and sorrowful, suffers, and the drops of His bloody sweat drench the earth. Kneeling on the hard ground, He perseveres in prayer, shedding tears for you and for me. The weight of human sins crushes Him.
Pater, si vis, transfer calicem istum a me. - Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. (Lk 22:42)
An angel from heaven strengthens Him. Jesus undergoes agony. He continues prolixius, praying even more fervently. He comes to us, and finding us asleep, says a second time: “Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Lk 22:46)
Judas-the traitor. A kiss. The flash of Peter's sword in the darkness of the night. Jesus says: “You are come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me.” (Mk 14:48). Yes, we are cowards: we follow Him from afar, but awakened and prayerful. Prayer... prayer...
The Scourging at the Pillar
Pilate says: “You have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Passover. Whom will you that I release to you? Barabbas, a robber accused of other crimes as well, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” (Mt 27:17). The crowd, incited by the chief priests and elders, cries out: “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas!” (Lk 23:18).
Pilate speaks again: “What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? - Crucifige eum! (Crucify him!)” (Mt 27:22; Mk 15:14). Pilate asks them a third time: “Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him.” (Lk 23:22). The shout of the crowd grows: “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Mk 15:14). Then Pilate, desiring to satisfy the crowd, releases Barabbas, and orders Jesus to be scourged.
Bound to the pillar. Covered with wounds. The blows of the lash resound as it falls upon His mutilated body, upon the immaculate flesh that suffers for our sinful bodies. More stripes. More fury. Still more... Human cruelty reaches its zenith. Finally, the exhausted executioners untie Jesus. The body of Christ, contorted with pain, falls helplessly to the ground like a log, half dead.
Neither you nor I can find our voice. Besides, words are unnecessary. Look at Him, contemplate Him. Fix your gaze on Him.
After all this, will you still hold back from penance?
The Crowning with Thorns
Our King wanted to suffer as much as possible, and this desire is fulfilled!
They lead my Lord into the inner court, that is, the praetorium, and call together the whole cohort. The brutal soldiers strip the most pure body of Jesus. They throw a dirty, purple rag around His shoulders. Into His right hand, they thrust a reed as a scepter. Using a mallet, they drive a crown of thorns onto His temples and mock the King held up to ridicule... Ave, Rex Judeorum (Hail, King of the Jews) (Mk 15:18). Blows wound His head until it bleeds. They strike Him... and spit upon Him.
Crowned with thorns and clothed in the torn purple cloak, Jesus stands before the crowd: Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). When the chief priests and servants see Him, they cry out again: “Crucify him, crucify him!”
You and I... have we not crowned Him with thorns anew? Have we not struck Him, have we not spat upon Him? Never again, Jesus, never again... And with this firm, life-changing resolution, we finish these ten Hail Marys.
The Carrying of the Cross
Carrying His Cross, Jesus goes out to the place called the place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha (Jn 19:17). And they lay hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they lay the Cross on him to carry it after Jesus (Lk 23:26).
The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: Cum sceleratis reputatus est (And he was reputed with the wicked) (Is 53:12). And two others also, robbers, were led with Him to be put to death (Lk 23:32).
“If any man will come after me...” My little Friend, we are sorrowful as we live through the passion of the Lord Jesus. Look with what love He embraces the Cross. Learn from Him. It is for you that Jesus carries this Cross; and you... carry it for Jesus.
But do not drag the cross on the ground... Carry it honestly, faithfully upon your shoulders, because your cross, if you carry it with dignity, will not be just any ordinary cross, but... a Holy Cross. Do not carry your cross with resignation. Resignation has nothing to do with generosity. Love your cross. And when you truly love it, then this cross of yours will be... a Cross without a cross.
Then also, just like Jesus, you will surely meet Mary on your way.
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
The throne of glory is now ready for Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Neither you nor I see Him writhing in pain as they nail Him to the Cross. Suffering as much as a man is capable of suffering, He extends His arms in the gesture of the Eternal Priest.
The soldiers take His holy garments and divide them into four parts. However, so as not to tear the tunic, they cast lots for it, to see whose it shall be. Thus once again the words of Scripture are fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots.” (Jn 19:23-24).
By now He has been lifted up... And at the foot of the Cross, close to her Son, stands the Mother... and Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. Ecce mater tua! (Behold thy mother!) (Jn 19:27). He gives us His Mother to be our Mother.
Earlier, they gave Him wine mingled with gall to drink. He tasted it, but would not drink. Now He experiences thirst... He thirsts for the love of souls.
Consummatum est (It is consummated) (Jn 19:30). Look, foolish child: Jesus suffered all this for you and for me. Can you keep yourself from crying now?