Sorrowful Mysteries (to be said on Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden
   Matthew 26:36-39
   The cup of the New Covenant, which Jesus anticipated when he offered himself at the Last Supper, is afterwards accepted by him from his Father's hands in his agony in the garden at Gethsemani, making himself "obedient unto death." Jesus prays: "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me...." Thus he expresses the horror that death represented for his human nature. Like ours, his human nature is destined for eternal life; but unlike ours, it is perfectly exempt from sin, the cause of death. Above all, his human nature has been assumed by the divine person of the "Author of life, the living One." By accepting in his human will that the Father's will be done, he accepts his death as redemptive, for "he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree."
   Meditation: Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane ... He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me by." Matthew 26:36-39
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
   Matthew 27:25-26
   Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony, and his Passion and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God...loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that...love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.
   Meditation: The people said, "Let his blood be on us and on our children." At that, he released Barabbas to them. Jesus, however, he first had scourged. Matthew 27:25-26
3. The Crowning with Thorns
   Matthew 27:28-29
   It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate's cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas' betrayal so bitter to Jesus, Peter's denial, and the disciples' flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world, the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour forth inexhaustibly.
   Meditation: They stripped off his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they fixed it on his head ... and began to mock him. Matthew 27:28-29
4. The Carrying of the Cross
   John 19:16-18
   The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men." But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up their cross and follow him," for "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example so that we should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.
   Meditation: Jesus was led away, and carrying the cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him. John 19:16-18
5. The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord
   Luke 23:45-46
   The Church is born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist, and fulfilled on the cross. "The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus." "For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the 'wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.' " As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam's side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.
   Meditation: The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two, Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." After this, he expired. Luke 23:45-46

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