Sorrowful Mysteries
First Sorrowful Mystery:
The Agony in the Garden
 Reflections
 Jesus comes with his disciples to Gethsemani: "Stay here,
while I go yonder and pray."
Entering
the garden with Peter, James and John, Jesus prays: "My soul is sorrowful unto
death."
Jesus
sees the sins of all mankind, whose guilt He has taken upon Himself.
He sees
the wrath of the Father which His sufferings must appease.
So great
is His anguish that His sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground.
An angel
appears to Him from heaven to strengthen Him.
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet, not My will but Yours be
done."
Finding
the disciples asleep: "Could you not watch one hour with Me ?"
Jesus is betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound and led away.
Father,
by the merits of the agony of Jesus in the Garden, have mercy on us and the whole world.
Second Sorrowful Mystery:
The Scourging at the Pillar
Reflections
Jesus is taken before the High Priest where He is falsely accused,
buffeted and insulted.
The
Jewish leaders take Jesus before Pilate, for only he can impose the death penalty.
The
robber, Barabbas, is preferred to Jesus.
Pilate
can "find no cause in Him", yet to appease the Jews, he orders Jesus to be
scourged.
The
scourge is made of leather throngs, to which are attached small sharp bones.
Jesus is
bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged until His whole body is covered with deep wounds.
The Lamb
of God offers His suffering for the sins of mankind.
Jesus
suffers so much in His sacred flesh to satisfy, especially, for sins of the flesh.
The
prophesy of Isiah is fulfilled: "He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised
for our sins."
Father,
by the merits of Jesus in this painful scourging, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Third Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crowning with Thorns
Reflections
Pilate asks: "Are You a king?" Jesus answers: : "I
am a King but My kingdom is not of this world."
In the
praetorium, the soldiers place an old purple robe on Jesus in mockery of His claim to be a
king.
They
fashion a crown out of thorns, and forcefully press it down upon His head.
In His
bound hands they place a reed, as a sceptre, in mockery of His kingship.
Kneeling
before Him in derision, they spit on Him, and cry out: "Hail, King of the Jews."
Taking
the reed from His hand they strike Him on the head, driving the thorns more deeply into
His scalp.
Pilate
brings Jesus before the people, hoping His pitiful sight will soften them: "Behold
the man!"
Their
response: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Our
Blessed Lord submitted to this terrible humiliation to make reparation for our pride.
Father,
by the merits of this painful humiliation, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery:
The Carrying of the Cross
Reflections
One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross
to the place of execution.
The
suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His bruised and wounded back and
shoulders.
Weak and
exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the
cross.
Jesus
meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.
The
countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat, with dust and spittle.
Veronica
wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His countenance.
Fearing
that Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross
behind Jesus.
Jesus
speaks to weeping women: "Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and your
children."
"
If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me."
Father,
by the merits of this painful journey to Calvary, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crucifixion
Reflections
The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the
presence of His afflicted Mother.
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
"This day you will be with Me in paradise."
"Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother."
"My
God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
"I
thirst."
"It
is finished."
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."
The side
of Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His
Mother.
Father,
by the merits of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
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