The events of the Sorrowful Mysteries occur right before Christ offers Himself as a perfect sacrifice on Good Friday. I have recently discovered that I am more drawn to the Rosary on Tuesdays and Fridays than any other days. I get pulled by the power of the Rosary with more force on those particular days of the Sorrowful Mysteries.
The most intense sorrow of Jesus Christ takes place after the Last Supper through the Crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday. In general rule, Catholics meditate on The Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as on the Sundays of Lent. The virtues of this Mysteries are:
- The Agony in the Garden – Courage (Fortitude)
- The Scourging at the Pillar – Temperance & Purity
- The Crowning with Thorns – Humility
- The Carrying of the Cross – Patience and Perseverance
- The Crucifixion – Contrition for sins
Knowing what is coming-that’s the worst part, Knowing what is coming-, so tortured was he, Jesus asks his Father, “If it is possible, let this chalice pass from me.” But then, quickly he adds, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39) He shows tremendous courage, unthinkable to any human minds, by accepting God’s Will, the Will of His Father. The plan? To have Jesus tortured, mocked, striped, and then hung on the cross to suffer for hours before he let out his last breath. That’s what Jesus accepted. That awful deal.
I had a rough week for my personal reasons. I am simple yet complicated. Between my two natures, I often find myself at war, struggling to find some balance, or some peace in between the two worlds. I’ve lived through many traumatic events, just like many people. The memories of my past still torture me, whipping me, mocking me, and mercilessly harassing me. They are my own version of Pontius Pilate. In the quiet chapel before the morning Mass was to start, I was sitting in the back of the chapel, listening to my soul saying, “I am so fatigued.” At that, I leaned forward to rest my forearms on the back of the chair in front of me. I rested my head on my arms, cocooning my entire head using my arms as protection. I felt vulnerable. I felt tired. I felt exhausted. I needed to be exhumed.
I am a passionate creature, and I am exhausted by my own passion. My own passion exhausts me. I drain me. Without my ultimate cure, I’d be so lost.
Just when I am on the verge of frustration too great to hold in, I redirect my focus from my unfulfilled passion to the fulfilled Passion of Christ. And just like that, my passion is enveloped in the Great Passion of His and I am at last satisfied. Once again, I am filled with love, peace, and happiness. This is my ultimate cure of the Sorrowful Mysteries. That His Sorrow would restore me back to life is indeed a big Mystery; One you cannot solve without the power of Love.
Great was His Sorrow
Great was His Solitude
Great was His Sacrifice
Great was His Passion
Great was His Pain
Great was His Power
But the greatest of all…
… was His love …
lilyboat 