The Passion of Jesus Christ

 

THE PASSION OF THE LORD

"When I become immersed in the Lord's Passion, I often see the Lord Jesus, during adoration, in this manner: after the scourging, the torturers took the Lord and stripped Him of His own garment, which had already adhered to the wounds; as they took it off, His wounds reopened; then they threw a dirty and tattered scarlet cloak over the fresh wounds of the Lord. The cloak, in some places, barely reached His knees. They made Him sit on a piece of beam. And then they wove a crown of thorns, which they put on His sacred head. They put a reed in His hand and made fun of Him, bowing to Him as to a king. Some spat in His face, while others took the reed and struck Him on the head with it. Others caused Him pain by slapping Him; still others covered His face and struck Him with their fists. Jesus bore all this with meekness. Who can comprehend Him — comprehend His suffering? Jesus' eyes were downcast. I sensed what was happening in the most sweet Heart of Jesus at that time. Let every soul reflect on what Jesus was suffering at that moment. They tried to outdo each other in insulting the Lord.

(Saint Faustina's Diary 408)

OUR CONNECTION TO OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES - THE EUCHARIST

While death can seem like a wide separation, those who died in grace are closer to us than they were on earth.

The death of a close relative or friend can hit us hard. We cherished their presence when they were alive and their death leaves an unfortunate void in our lives.

However, while death separates us in a physical way, it’s not the end. There is hope found in the Eucharist.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains why we call the Eucharistic celebration “holy communion.”

Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body. (CCC 1331)

Furthermore, the Catechism goes on to expand on this reality, stating that the “Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, the living and the dead.”

The worthy reception of Holy Communion at Mass unites us to Jesus Christ, and by doing so, unites us to everyone who is in union with him. This includes all the saints in heaven, not simply the “canonized” ones recognized by the Church, but all the deceased individuals who have been purified by Christ’s love.

Jan Wakelin at Catholic Answers explains this dimension of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist also unites heaven and earth. Many who have lost a loved one may experience closeness to that person after receiving Communion or while in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. These feelings may be a result of a deep theological awareness that those who died in grace are alive in Christ; thus our nearness to Christ in the Eucharist brings us nearer to them as well.

On this side of the veil, we do not know for certain if a beloved relative or friend is united with Christ in Heaven. They may have had to experience a period of purgation in the afterlife, before being able to walk through the gates of Heaven. Others we know may have led a virtuous life and died a beautiful death, united to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of who is in Heaven, in the Eucharist we are united in a spiritual way to countless people who have died. In this way, we are closer to them then we would have been when they were alive. It is a mysterious theological truth, but one that can give us comfort in this “vale of tears.”

The Eucharist is a foretaste of that heavenly banquet, when we will be united to Jesus and those in Heaven in a way that we cannot fathom here on earth. It gives us hope that one day, we will be reunited with our beloved friend, parent, spouse or child.

Death does not have the final say. Jesus has conquered death and has provided a place for us and our loved ones to live in love and peace for all eternity.

ROSARY MEDITATIONS- SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

Meditations for the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

A thought is suggested for each of the 10 Hail Marys in each decade. Some people find it helpful simply to gaze at a picture depicting the mystery. The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also on Sundays during Lent.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

I. The Agony in the Garden

1. After the Last Supper Jesus and the Apostles go to the Garden of Olives.
2. Jesus asks the Apostles to watch with Him.
3. Jesus withdraws and prays.
4. As He thinks of what He is to suffer and of our ingratitude, He is bathed in a sweat of blood.
5. Jesus awakens the Apostles, who have fallen asleep from weariness.
6. He returns to His prayer, and asks His Father that this chalice to pass away.
7. Jesus again finds the Apostles sleeping.
8. He returns to His prayer; an Angel comes to comfort Him.
9. Mary keeps an agonizing vigil.
10. Jesus goes to meet His betrayer.

II. The Scourging

1. The people cry for Christ’s crucifixion.
2. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged even though He is innocent.
3. Jesus is stripped and bound to the pillar.
4. He is scourged by the soldiers.
5. Jesus suffers without complaint.
6. Jesus atones for our sins of the flesh.
7. Mary suffers in compassion.
8. Jesus is scourged above measure.
9. The prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled (53:5).
10. The Holy Shroud bears witness to the lashes.

III. The Crowning with Thorns

1. The soldiers surround Christ and mock Him.
2. Jesus is clothed in royal purple.
3. The soldiers form a crown of thorns and place it on His head.
4. They crush it down so that the thorns pierce His sacred head.
5. The soldiers place a reed in Jesus’ hand and mock Him.
6. They spit upon Him and strike His face.
7. Jesus is beaten with the reed.
8. He suffers meekly.
9. Mary suffers in compassion.
10. Pilate shows Jesus to the people: “Ecce Homo!”

IV. The Carrying of the Cross

1. Pilate, washing his hands, condemns Jesus to death.
2. The Apostles flee in fear.
3. Jesus takes up His cross.
4. He is so weak from the scourging that soon He falls beneath it.
5. The people jeer at Christ.
6. Jesus meets his afflicted Mother.
7. Simon is made to help Jesus carry the cross.
8. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
9. Jesus speaks to the weeping women.
10. Jesus climbs Calvary.

V. The Crucifixion

1. Jesus is stripped of His garments.
2. He is nailed to the cross and it is raised.
3. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s robe.
4. The people mock Jesus: “If thou art the Christ, come down from the cross!”
5. Jesus prays for His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
6. He promises paradise to the thief.
7. He leaves us His mother: “Son, behold thy mother!”
8. Jesus gives up His spirit: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”
9. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in His Mother’s arms.
10. Jesus is laid in the tomb.