The Sorrowful Mysteries - Meditations of St. John Paul II
The Agony in the Garden
Gethsemane – the hour of fear, the hour of anguish, sorrow, and bloody sweat; of friends whose eyes are heavy with sleep and who do not understand. Gethsemane – the hour of prayer stretched taut like a string, a filial conversation with the Father, an acceptance with love of the chalice of bitterness.
O Friend of humanity, your surrender to the Father's will is our strength in Gospel decisions amidst the perils of life. Strengthen us on the path of faith; grant that we may know how to give our lives without fear in the name of the love of Life.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus accepts insults and mockery in silence. In the midst of absolute incomprehension – the King of truth. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain… Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. (Is 53:3-4) Enlightened by the Truth that sets us free, we ask You: teach us to see Your face in every person, Your presence in every poor and persecuted person, in everyone who works for peace and justice – a brother called to the grace of divine sonship.
The Crowning with Thorns
St. John leads us to transform our meditation into a prayer permeated with adoration and tenderness at the sight of the sufferings of Jesus, crowned with thorns: Pilate – writes St. John – went outside again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you… to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. From that day on, every human generation is called to take a stand before this Man crowned with thorns. No one can remain indifferent. One must take a side. And this, not only in word, but also in deed.
The Carrying of the Cross
Now Jesus, with absolute clarity, is the master who goes ahead of his disciples, the priest ascending the sacrificial altar, the lamb bearing the sin of the world. From this moment begins the great return of man to the Father's house. With the cross, Jesus awaits the last of men to carry the burden of life together with him.
Jesus, holy Priest, weighed down by the cross, ascend the hill of sacrifice; unite the sufferings of all nations with Your sacrifice and gather all peoples by the wood of the cross. Glory be to You, O Christ. Your cross shows the way of life and marks the path of hope.
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Twice the dying Jesus cries out with a loud voice: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? A mysterious cry full of pain. A voice of hope against despair, a song of victory over the powers of evil. Jesus, the faithful friend, betrayed and mocked, confirms what took place in the quiet of the Upper Room; He confirms His love for man, because greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
Jesus, through Your passion and death, forgive us our sin; by the power of Your Spirit, renew the face of the earth.