The Holy Rosary

Gethsemene

Pray the Rosary Every Day

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES



           The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are contemplated on Tuesday and Friday and also on Sundays during Lent. In order, the mysteries are the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion.

           Let us look at each mystery, it's origin, and what we can learn from it. In each case the mystery will be stated, the related Scripture quoted, and some suggestions made on what we can contemplate.



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The Agony in the Garden


           Jesus knew his life must end in his sacrificial death. He also knew it would not be pleasant. It is too easy to dismiss Jesus' feelings by assuming he was able to endure anything without pain or fear. The fact is that all the events of Crucifixion, including those preceding, were difficult for him to bear.

Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test." After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done."

Luke 22:39-42 NAB


           Our Lord was frightened at what was about to happen and yet he said, "not my will but yours be done."

Understanding

We follow a God who understands our weaknesses and fears. When we think of what Jesus did for us do we understand what he endured?

Sacrifice

Jesus went through this agony and all the events which followed, sacrificing himself for us. Are we willing to sacrifice for others by offering up our daily trials.

Love

Jesus loves us so much he was willing to endure a painful death for our salvation. Do we love anyone so much we could die for them?



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The Scourging


           The Romans did not simply arrest Jesus and kill him. His captors caused him pain before he reached the cross. In those days scourging was a common punishment. It was done with whips having heavy objects attached to the ends which would tear into the skin.



And the whole people said in reply, "His blood be upon us and upon our children. Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Matt 27:25-26 NAB


           The Romans thought they were scourging a man who deluded himself into believing he was the King of the Jews. In fact they were beating God! More amazing is that God endured this on our behalf! We are the sinners. If anyone deserves punishment it is us.

Mercy

The pain which Jesus endured was our pain. He did not sin. We sin every day. Let us turn to him asking for his mercy and thank him for what he did for us.

Substitution

Since Jesus took upon himself the guilt of the world he was our substitution.

Endurance

Jesus endured horrible pain. When we are going through suffering we can think of Jesus.



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The Crowning With Thorns


           After our Lord was scourged his captors mocked him by making a crown of thorns and placing it on his head. Jesus felt not only the personal pain of being mocked but the physical pain of the thorns.



Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Matt 27:29 NAB


           When we read about how Jesus quietly endured the physical and mental pain leading to his death we see how one so strong can demonstrate meekness. To be meek is not a display of weakness. Meekness is a choice where weakness is just the opposite.

Patience

Jesus patiently endured suffering. When we suffer are we patient?

Meekness

It takes tremendous strength of character to quietly and patiently endure hardship. When we see a holy person choosing to quietly endure the mocking of others we see the witness it gives of Christian character. Are we ready to do the same?

Love

We must love our Lord when we realize what indignities he suffered on the way to the cross.

Doing what is right

Surely one of Jesus' captors was uncomfortable with what he was doing. Someone must have wanted to stop being cruel to this gentle man. Have we ever joined in with the crowd to hurt someone because we have not wanted to speak out?



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Carrying of the Cross


           Can you imagine being falsely accused of a crime and then being led to your death while carrying the instrument of your demise? Jesus did just that. carrying a heavy cross.



So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.

John 19:16-17 NAB


           John's gospel says a man named Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross. Possibly Jesus carried it and then Simon was forced to do what Jesus could no longer do. The Church tells us that we can believe Jesus carried his cross. When we pray the Stations of the Cross we learn of this.

Endurance

The struggles of our lives take many forms. Fortunately none of us will be asked to carry a cross to our execution. We will endure sickness, sorrow, and death. Are we ready to do so with our faith to uphold us?

Courage

We already learned about Jesus' fear in the Garden. At this point his fear must have intensified. When we think of Jesus as the Second Person of the Trinity we often lose his humanity. He was also a man who showed tremendous courage in the face of death.



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The Crucifixion


           The Old Testament tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. God did not desire the blood of animals. Yet the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Throughout the Old Testament when a sacrifice was made it had to be perfect. A lamb offered for sacrifice had to be spotless. Nothing, however, can be perfect except God. A perfect sacrifice would be the sacrifice of God! The concept seems astounding! Yet Jesus, God incarnate, sacrificed himself for us!



It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down in the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46 NAB


           Human beings for whom Christ died were the ones who put him to death. The very people who awaited the Messiah shouted, "Crucify him!" They did not know who he was. Do we realize just who this Jesus was?

Mercy

How can we hold anything against another person when Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins? Such a high price was paid for us. How can we hold anything against another.

Forgiveness

Before dying Jesus said, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Can we forgive those who have hurt us in the worst way?

Salvation

Had Jesus not paid this price we would not be saved. Are we remembering to thank God for his gift of Jesus?



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Mysteries of the Rosary

Glorious Mysteries

Joyful Mysteries

Luminous Mysteries



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That They May Be One

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last updated 1/15/08