In life, we oftentimes accept only the happy moments but we fail to accept pain and sorrow. In the rosary, we have sorrowful mysteries. We are reminded here that in life, we have our own ups and downs. We must also accept wholeheartedly those moments which we are asked to sacrifice. Suffering is also a mystery. We humans, do not fully know why there is. But in the light of these mysteries, we see that the glory is already revealed in them. We are asked by Christ to carry our own crosses and follow him in order to find True life.
I have reflected that the term "sorrowful" does not only apply to the feeling we feel for Jesus in these mysteries. Rather, we are asked to feel "sorrowful" for our sins that made Jesus accept his cross.
The first sorrowful mystery is the agony in the garden (Matthew 26:36-46) Jesus, after the Passover meal, went to Getsemane like what he always do, to pray to his Father and with him are Peter, James and John. He went a little father and he said to his Father that if he only willed it, he requests that his cup of suffering be taken away from him but let God's will be done. In fear, he sweated blood and an angel appeared in heaven in order to console him in his agony. He prayed longer in preparation for his Passion while his disciples slept not knowing the great events that will happen beginning at that moment. There, Judas accompanied the temple guards who arrested Jesus. His disciples left and Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest, Caiphas.
Let us ask Jesus to grant us a greater hatred for sin which separates us from our heavenly Father and from our brothers and sisters. May we also obtain the habit of prayer like Jesus. Because prayer makes Jesus ready to face the Ultimate Sacrifice of Man. That is why Peter and other disciples felt weak and left Jesus because they were not disposed by prayer. Let us ask the special intercession of Mary in this mystery, for those who are answering God's call in Holy Orders or in religious life. Like Jesus, may they be able to heed the call of Christ and embrace the life of the Cross.
The second sorrowful mystery is the Scourging at the pillar (John 18:36-19:1). The high priests Annas and Caiphas,after an unjust trial, decided that Jesus is to be killed saying that Jesus claimed to be God. However, they cannot carry the sentence due to the restriction of the Roman authorities in the area. They brought him to Pilate accusing him of subversion to Caesar and inciting a revolt to the Roman empire. Pilate knew he was innocent and tried his best to release him. But seeing how the chief priests, Pharisees and the people with them hate Jesus and wanted to get rid of him, he commanded Jesus to be scourged foolishly thinking that this would satisfy the blood-thirsty mob.
Jesus suffered obtaining wounds in his Most Sacred Body in reparation for our sins against our bodies. He suffered for those people living impure and unchaste lives. Let us ask him for the grace of chastity and purity that we may be able to respect our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Let us also ask him to pardon us from our sins of negligence of taking care of our bodies and for consenting to vices that give them harm. Let us ask Mary to help those people committing sins against chastity that they may be able to be converted and find greater strength as they decide to reform their lives.
The third sorrowful mystery is the Crowning with thorns (Matthew 27:29-31, Mark 16:16-18, John 19:2-5). After being scourged, the Roman brutal soldiers, who seems to be not yet satisfied with Jesus full of wounds all over his body, mocked him as the King of the Jews by placing a crown of thorns in his head, a reed in his hand and a dirty purple robe in his back. They pretend to kneel before him, then they hit him with the reed he was holding. When Pilate brought Jesus before the crowd, the mob even shouted that he should be crucified. They even preferred a hardened criminal to be released instead of him. Seeing how the authorities wanted Jesus to be crucified, Pilate gave Jesus to them and washed his hands, a symbol of him not accepting the guilt of his death.
In this mystery, Jesus showed the great example of humility. He suffered for our sins of pride. He who is God decided to empty himself. He is like a lamb who gently accepts death and never said a word while being falsely accused. Lets us Jesus for us to be humble like him. And let us ask Mary for those who have positions in the government. May they imitate Jesus "who does not came to be served but to serve". May their service to the people not be tainted with ambition and selfish motives.
The fourth sorrowful mystery is the carrying of the cross (Luke 23:25-31). Jesus bore the cross as he is lead to his place of execution. A Cirenean named Simon was forced to help him carry the cross since he is already tired and exhausted. Jesus also met some women who cried for him. Jesus said to them that they should rather weep not for him but for the sufferings that they will be experiencing later. And according to a tradition, Mary followed him bearing the same pain as he is undergoing.
Jesus shows us the example of human courage. He shows us not to give up even though the cross seems too hard to bear. He is there with us and helping us, saying to us that we are never alone. Jesus also invites us to be like Simons of Cyrene to one another and like what he said to the women, we should also weep for the sufferings of the world and do something about it. Let us ask Mary to help those who are sick, the poor, the sorrowing and burdened by various trials, that they may be strong and understand the benefits of the oneness of their suffering with Christ.
The last sorrowful mystery is the crucifixion and death of Christ (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19). When Jesus reached Golgotha, meaning a place of skull, he was stripped and was nailed to the cross. Jesus forgave his executioners for according to him, they do not know what they were doing. Above his head, they was a sign that says:Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews written in the three most popular language of his time--- Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Executed with him are two thieves. One challenged him to prove he is the Messiah but the other one repented of his sins and asked Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom. Jesus promised Paradise to the repentant thief. Jesus entrusted his mother to John, his beloved disciple. And when time came, Jesus surrendered his spirit to God and he died.
This mystery is perhaps the center of the whole rosary because the rosary is but the contemplation of the mysteries of our salvation. Adam and Eve brought chaos to the world through their disobedience by eating the fruit from a tree. Now, in a "tree" without branches, leaves or fruits, Jesus together with Mary obeyed God and gave us the "fruit" of salvation. The life of a true Christian is actually centered on the Truth that God has so loved us that he gave his only Son and whoever believes in him will have eternal life. (John 3:16)
May we imitate Jesus' self-emptying and sacrifice by the continuous meditation of this mystery. Let us ask Mary to help those who dedicated themselves in the service of others that they may remain faithful and accept sacrifices for others especially for the poor of this world.
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