Via Dolorosa 12/14…Jesus Is Raised Upon The Cross and Dies

This Holy Week of Lent 2011, we continue to ponder on our journey with Jesus, who “went out, carrying His Cross, to the place called “the place of the skull”, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17).  I continue to pray that the reflection of these holy steps of Christ’s journey will quietly speak to your heart, especially this Holy Week.

“Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

We adore Thee O Christ, and we praise Thee - Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

– The Testament of St. Francis of Assisi – 1182 - 1226

Scripture Reading:

“After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”  There was a vessel filled with common wine.  So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.  When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.”  And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.  Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.  So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.  An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced.”” (John  19:28-37, NAB)

“Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me.  They open their mouths against me, lions that rend and roar.  Like water my life drains away; all my bones grow soft.  My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me.” (Psalm 22:13-15, NAB)

“Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny?  When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.” (Isaiah 53:7-9, NAB)

Simply Reflect:

Lord Jesus, you noticed a few more savage soldiers gathered around you, getting ready to set the beams of the Cross upright, swaying it to and fro…into the dug-out hole of Golgotha, waiting to swallow it.  As this was being performed, your whole body shook with pain with each vibration.

Now that the Cross was upright, the weight of your entire body centered on your hands and feet...you went into trauma…cramps pulled every muscle…your arms turned numb supporting your entire weight, it is simply so difficult to breathe.  You struggled and looked up…the entire landscape of Jerusalem, became visible - the Holy City.

“I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; so my own arm brought about the victory and my own wrath lent me its support.” (Isaiah 63:5, NAB)

“Hear my cry for help, my king, my God!  To you I pray, O Lord…” (Psalm 5:3, NAB)

The final hour has truly come…  Jesus saw John and Mary Magdalene fell prostrate to the ground in grief near the foot of the Cross.  Your Mother, Mary was embracing the foot of the Cross, supported by Salome and Mary of Cleophas.  What words can express the deep grief of a Mother seeing her Son in such an inhumane condition?  The pain that surely pierced her heart.

“And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35, Duoay Rheims)

Mother Mary, upon recalling the prophesy of Simeon in the temple of Jerusalem, looked deeply into the swollen eyes of her beloved Son and pondered quietly in her heart; conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a Virgin, the flesh of her flesh, the bone of her bone, the heart of her heart, the blood of her blood – now hanging on the wooden beams between two criminals - crucified, disfigured, abused, condemned by the very people whom He came to redeem.

My Son, you loved everyone, you leave everyone free to choose you or reject you.  Though you are the Son of God, you never forced anyone to follow you.   All these time, Precious Jesus, you only stood at the door of our hearts and knock…waiting for our response.

It is now about three o’clock…it is almost time…the mission of Jesus is almost finished.  You looked at the skyline of Jerusalem…every step, every breath, every wound, every drop of precious blood; every fall…everything on the path to Golgotha has been worth it…the benefits to my people will be eternal.  People of all generations can now find strength to similarly travel the hard, difficult and narrow path in life towards a more perfect union with you, Jesus.

“Death is going home, yet people are afraid of what will come, so they do not want to die.  If we do, if there is no mystery, we will not be afraid.  There is also the question of conscience – “I could have done better.”  Very often as we live, so we die.  Death is nothing but a continuation of life…  This life is not the end; people who believe it is, fear death.  If it was properly explained that death was nothing but going home to God, then there would be no fear,” – Mother Teresa

Jesus, although your entire body has been bruised, battered and marked in some way…your head is bursting from the blows…your back is torn apart...your heart is broken with sorrow…your hands and feet are pierced...yet, your soul is simply serene and empty...waiting to be filled by the perpetual Light of Heaven.

“…I was as a meek lamb…that is carried to be a victim…” (Jeremiah 11:19, Douay Rheims)

Sinless, spotless, pure…Jesus paid more than the full price of sin to redeem humanity.  Noise, cruel insults and confusion continue to surround Golgotha…  Jesus, you have heard every thought of humanity…vibrating deep within your heart.  You knew that they just do not understand…like little children…you loved them all.

“…Father, forgive them, they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:24, NAB)

 As you continue to hang from the Cross, wave after wave of temptation came sweeping in to your weakened and despaired mind…worst than the 40 days in the desert…Jesus was tempted by Satan, so that He will use His power selfishly to change the course of human salvation…to just saving Himself.

“…Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40, Douay Rheims)

On the Cross, Jesus thirsts…for God...

“O God, you are my God-- for you I long!  For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.” (Psalm 63:2, NAB)

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?  Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?” (Psalm 22:2, NAB)

“I stretch out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land…hasten to answer me, Lord; for my spirit fails me.  Do not hide your face from me…” (Psalm 143:6-7, NAB)

“And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, NAB)

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46, NAB)

“…It is finished.” (John 19:30, NAB)

“Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:6, NAB)

The skies gradually became darker…and darker…the earth shook…

Quiet Pondering:

In silence, we bow down…we kneel…we simply contemplate quietly.  Words simply cannot express…the cries from within the depths of our hearts…

“Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:42, Douay Rheims)

“My life has become a great burden to me, because it deprives me of true life.  I know, because the Lord prolongs my life, that this is his will.  And yet I am never able, despite all my strivings, to make an act of true resignation – having continually before my mind’s eye the knowledge that it is only through death that one finds true life.”

– St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

The Holy Week Begins...Who is Jesus For You?

Scripture Reflection:

“As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42, NAB)

“Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke.” (Matthew 21:5, Douay Rheims)


“…a great multitude that was to come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.” (John 12:12-13, Douay Rheims)


“As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen.  They proclaimed: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”” (Luke 19:36-38, NAB)

Simply Ponder:
I am no theologian, neither am I a biblical scholar.  I am a mere layman, a pilgrim, trying to figure out most of the time, and find meaning to my short journey through life.  As philosophical as it may sound, my hope is that these simple sharing will move many others to travel more meaningfully along the same road…that God will continue to use us, His humble instruments, for His greater glory.


Throughout this Season of Lent, I have been constantly challenged, examined and 'washed' by each of the reflections posted for the Via Dolorosa.  My own over-familiarity with the 14 Stations of the Cross has resulted in much more time being taken to wait, listen and ponder anew, afresh and deeper, each holy step of Jesus towards the summit of Golgotha.


I am grateful, by God’s merciful grace that eleven stations have been posted so far over the weeks of Lent.  I humbly pray that, by simply sharing these, you too will be able to enter into the presence of God and that these reflections can move you to find greater meaning for your own journey…awakening afresh the Word of God that has always been embedded deep within your being.

This blog is almost a year old and it is an extremely humbling experience for me to note 12 followers on this blog so far; reminiscent of the first twelve disciples…mere fishermen…  I pray that this simple community of pilgrims can continue to multiply as we gather here simply to encourage each other on the journey through life.

I continously pray that I am able to serve you, wherever you may be, in a ‘simplyquiet’ way so that God, and only God, can increase as your perfect companion on this journey.  I thank you all for sustaining me and giving me strength…thank you for allowing me to 'wash' the dusty sandals of your hearts.


After so many days of Lent…of preparation, we have arrived at the peak of Golgotha, the Sixth Sunday of Lent, the beginning of the Holy Week, heading towards the Easter Triduum; a time devoted to quiet prayer time and contemplation of the greatest Love of all.

Palm Sunday or Passion (in Latin, ‘to suffer’) Sunday commemorates the commencement of the Holy Week…Jesus’ final stretch of agonizing, but redeeming, journey to the Cross.  The color switches from ‘purple’ to ‘red’, symbolic of the shedding of the Precious Blood of Christ…the death of Jesus…  Who is Jesus really to you?

“…Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luke 9:18, NAB)


“…who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29, NAB)


Is Jesus the son of Joseph…a simple carpenter?  Or would He be the son of Mary…a quiet woman? Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God…knows that He only has this last week to be with His people…so much to do…so much to say…so much to share.

This Holy Week, come into His presence; tell Him in your own way how much you love Him?  Tell Him in your own way what He means to you?

This day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey or ass…simply emphasizing the servanthood and simple humility that characterizes His Kingdom; a dimension which the crowd and even most of His disciples have yet to understand.

No majestic horse, no white stallion, no palace servants, no great army…a mere donkey!  Throngs of people gathered to welcome Him.


“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold Thy King will come to thee, the just and Savior: he is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9, Douay Rheims)

(Donkeys are simply working animals, transporting materials, carrying cargo on their backs.  Donkeys are stubborn but once a person earns its confidence, they become willing and companionable partners.

The donkey is likely to have transported Mary to Bethlehem, paid homage at the manger, facilitated the infant Jesus escape to Egypt and served the Holy Family with their carpentry business. Donkeys serve.)

Palms, the royal symbol of beauty, majesty, prosperity and perhaps victory, as in the days of King Solomon, were laid out in Jesus’ path entering into Jerusalem, welcoming Him.


The crowd equated Jesus with the many earthly kings ruling over their land, their nations…they wanted a great king who will bring them victory over the Romans.

Little did they know, despite witnessing the many ministries of Jesus, that He came not to rule them, but simply to serve, wash their feet and rule their hearts…turning them God-ward.


“The walls on all sides of both the inner and the outer rooms had…palm trees” “The doors were overlaid with gold, which was also molded to the cherubim and the palm trees.” “…carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, over which gold was evenly applied.” (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35, NAB)


The words of prophet Jeremiah echo in the heart of Jesus.


“Pay attention to this, foolish and senseless people who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not.” (Jeremiah 5:21, NAB)

Nevertheless, these thoughts were drowned by the fervent cries from the hungry crowd – Save us now!  Please save us now!  They have suffered and waited long enough for the chosen one to save them.


“Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9, NAB)


Quietly and silently, Jesus already knew that He must die this week to ‘save’ them.

Even knowing of His impending death on the Cross, He never thought about Himself…  He will very much miss His earthly papa, Joseph, who joked with Him, played with Him, taught Him all there is to know about handling carpentry wood, beams and all the tools of the trade…hammer and nails, stewardship of creation.  Jesus will miss very much the love of His mama, Mary, the teasing, the hugs, the comforting words, the cheeky and naughty times, the many teachings of scripture, the prayers she taught Him, the quiet contemplation, the listening.  Yes, Jesus, you were human, like each one of us…you are our brother…our faithful companion.


However, in this same Holy Week, looming in the horizon, we will find that the chief priests and the teachers of the law scheming and conspiring for a way to get rid of Jesus, to remove Him from their lives, to kill Him because they feared Him; Jesus threatens their security, their status quo, their position, their comfort zone, their lives.


The people of Jerusalem wanted Jesus to ‘free’ them, not knowing that Jesus actually brings about a freedom so precious that the world cannot understand, a love so great that the world cannot comprehend, a Kingdom so eternal.

Towards the end of this Holy Week, the same crowd who welcomed Jesus and cried “Hosanna! Hosanna!” will furiously chase Jesus out of Jerusalem to the deadly tune of “Crucify him! Crucify him!”...  From the royal palms to the place of the skulls!


This Holy Week, do not fall asleep...be attentive, make it different, make it awesome for your faith journey.


Who is Jesus for you? What meaning does Jesus bring into your life?



Via Dolorosa 11/14…Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross

These final days of Lent 2011, we reflect on our journey with Jesus, who “went out, carrying His Cross, to the place called “the place of the skull”, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17).  I continue to pray that the contemplation of these last few holy steps of Christ’s journey will quietly speak to your heart.

“Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

We adore Thee O Christ, and we praise Thee - Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

– The Testament of St. Francis of Assisi – 1182 - 1226

Scripture Reading:

“Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.  We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6, NAB)

“My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.  Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.  All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.” (Psalm 22:15-17, NIV)
 

“And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the inscription of his cause was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS.  And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.  And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: and with the wicked he was reputed.” (Mark 15:25-28, Douay Rheims)
 

“And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.  Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst.  And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross.  And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin.” (John 19:17-20, Douay Rheims)

Simply Reflect:
 

Jesus, my Lord, at the summit of Golgotha, you see the Cross laid out on the rocky ground.  You also noticed that one other cross was already up, the victim groaning in extreme pain. Another cross was being pushed up.  You knew what was to happen next.  You cannot possibly imagine the unbelievable cruelty of what is to come.

A soldier rudely offered you a drink of vinegar and gall…to numb the pain, he claim…or to accelerate the bleeding?  There was simply no need to know…it does not matter anymore.

What began as the agony and anguish in the garden of Gethsemane is about to be fulfilled soon.  Jesus, your whole destructed body still trembling and bleeding from the journey and the weight of the Cross…but you will freely take upon yourself all the remaining pain and torture…waiting to be nailed on the Cross...with all the sins of humanity.  Jesus, you quietly kissed the dusty ground of Golgotha…

“Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: “Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be spoken no more.”” (Jeremiah 12:19, NAB)

Lord, throughout your life on earth, you have never felt so humiliated, so despised.  You still hear the mocking, the urging, the pushing…yes, they all want to see this happen…now.

The executioners wasted no time…they drag you towards the rough beams of the blood stained Cross…it seemed larger than the rest…they lifted you up without any sympathy or mercy…the wounds all over your torn body split open again, the wooden splinters pierced into the wounds…

The soldiers screamed at you to lift yourself up…Lord, you were just too weak…  The devil had already induced them (John 13:2, NAB)

While they held you against the beams of the Cross, you looked up toward the high Heaven…recalling the assuring Word of the Father…

“…Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so…shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:5, NAB)

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11, NAB)

From the corner of your swollen eyes, you stole a glimpse of the rusty nails on the ground…the soldiers grab both your arms and stretched them wide.

They forced open both your bloodied hands…a huge iron hammer struck the nail repeatedly…piercing the flesh of your lower palms…going through the wooden beam of the Cross…crushing the bones…the heartless executioners repeated the same process on the other hand…no pity…no feelings…no blood gush forth because it was hammered so tight. These are the hands that healed and sow the seeds.

Jesus, at that very moment, the Cross and you became one.  The pain was simply beyond compare…yet, not a sound…not a murmur from you, my Lord.  Your outstretched arms embraced the Cross.  The familiar Word of God ringed through your mind…

“I am the Lord. I will free you… deliver you from their slavery. I will rescue you by my outstretched arm…” (Exodus 6:6, NAB)

The crowd roared but there were a few who were stunned motionless by the sheer cruelty and absolute silence from you.

In a distance, some of the disciples stared at the pierced hands…the very hands which had washed their feet not so long ago.  In your heart, you pondered…

“…Do you realize what I have done for you?” (John 13:12, NAB)

“…What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” (John 13:7, NAB)

The soldiers came back again, this time violently flattening your bended knees, put both your feet together and hammered a long nail through the arch of both feet, deep into the wood of the Cross below.  The same feet that walked on waters.

“My God, my God, why…why…” (Psalm 22:2, NAB)

“…The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?  The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NAB)

Following this, the inscription, “IESVS•NAZARENVS•REX•IVDÆORVM (Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum)” was nailed above my thorn-crowned head.  It is almost done.  It saddens Jesus as He heard the Pharisees, the High Priests praying aloud…

“O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous…” (Luke 18:11, NAB)

As Jesus glanced at His Mother weeping, He quietly prayed the Psalms…

“To all my foes I am a thing of scorn, to my neighbors, a dreaded sight, a horror to my friends.  When they see me in the street, they quickly shy away.  I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead; I am like a shattered dish.” (Psalm 31:12-13, NAB)

The hour has come.  God has been nailed to the Cross.

Quiet Pondering:

“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them: Take heed what you hear.  In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.  For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, that also which he hath shall be taken away from him.” (Mark 4:23-25, Douay Rheims)

“You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Jeremiah 30:22, NAB)

“Stay a while and contemplate these pierced hands and feet…this body covered with wounds…  This head pierced through and through by cruel thorns, fouled with dirt, bathed in sweat and blood.

Wonder and marvel at My silence, patience and resignation under such brutal treatment.  Ask yourself who suffer? Who is the victim of such barbarity?  It is JESUS CHRIST, the very Son of God, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things…who causes plants to grow and every living thing to prosper...  Who created man, and whose power sustains all things…  Behold Him unable to move, an object of scorn, despoiled of all.”

(The Way of Divine Love, p298, Sister Josefa Menendez)

This Lent...We Remember...Pope John Paul II

This Lent, I remember the emotional funeral of Pope John Paul II.  The Catholic liturgy which was broadcast worldwide represented a celebration of solidarity for the one human race; an event uniting all the religions of the world.  The event was an insight and testimony of the new evangelization so often preached.

“The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, NAB)


A humble Book of the Gospels was carried in procession before the casket.  The Book was simply placed open atop John Paul’s cypress simple casket at the beginning of the liturgy.  A quiet gust of wind caught the book, dramatically turning the pages.  Throughout the symbolic liturgy, rich with meaning, the wind kept flipping the pages, sometimes gradually, other times furiously wild…as if ‘someone’ was contemplating and eagerly searching for its content.  At some point in the beautiful Liturgy of the Word, the wind closed the Book of Life, as though the reading was completed.


Pope John Paul II began his pontificate with the words, “Be not afraid”.  Let us too, in these final days of Lent heed that call to Scriptures.  Let us hear the Word of God, live them, love them, embrace them and share them.  Let our journey through life be a testimony of the Word, so that we too, can breathe our last word on this earth as did Pope John Paul II, “Amen”.  Let the Word of God resurrect in our lives...

“It is my fervent hope that believers will find this Lent a favorable time for bearing witness to the Gospel of charity in every place, since the vocation to charity is the heart of all true evangelization.”

Pope John Paul II

Simply Give Thanks To Jesus...This Lent...

“The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” - St Thomas More

Via Dolorosa 10/14…Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments

We reflect on our journey with Jesus, who “went out, carrying His Cross, to the place called “the place of the skull”, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17).  I continue to pray that the contemplation of these holy steps of Christ’s journey will quietly speak to your heart.

“Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

We adore Thee O Christ, and we praise Thee - Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

– The Testament of St. Francis of Assisi – 1182 - 1226

Scripture Reading:

“And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head.” (Matthew 27:28-30, Douay Rheims)

“And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink. And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots - that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: they divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. And they sat and watched him.” (Matthew 27:33-36, Douay Rheims)

“And they bring him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, the place of Calvary. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh; but he took it not. And crucifying him, they divided his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.” (Mark 15:22-24, Douay Rheims)

“The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things.” (John 19:23-24, Douay Rheims)

Simply Reflect:


Dear Lord Jesus, throughout this brutal journey, you freely chose to endure all the mocking, the pushing, the insults, the flogging, the whipping, the entire weight of the Cross, the cruelty of humanity…you were shamed and cast out…yet, you chose to remain silent…you chose solitude in the midst of the crazy chaos of the world.  You feel the loneliness...no one stood up for you.  No one seem to understand your message...

You took it upon yourself to carry every one of our sins, our indifference, our betrayals, our denials, our suffering, our poverty, our pride…this is the only way for you to bring meaning into this meaningless world…to bring love into this sin-stained world.  If only there was an easier way.

“...Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42, Douay Rheims)

If only mankind were to repent, this whole journey to Golgotha, every step, every fall, would have been worth it…to redeem mankind from the fall from grace.

“…My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.” (John 18:36, Douay Rheim)

Whilst the Father held the whole world in His hands, Jesus held the whole wooden Cross in His deep embrace.  Drops of the precious Blood continue to absorb into the beams of the Cross and the excess, trickled to bless the ground of Golgotha.  The journey was humiliating and agonizing for the Son of God, yet…

“…I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” (Luke 22:37, NAB)

Nothing that has happened is mere coincidence or as a result of the conspiracy of mankind; everything that happened is contained in the Word of God and sustained by His Divine plan.

Jesus has arrived at the bloody grounds of Golgotha…the stench of death is everywhere…even the color of the ground is stained with blood and fragments of human bones.  Jesus recalled the words of scripture from Ezekiel.

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me forth in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of a plain that was full of bones.” (Ezekiel 37:1, Douay Rheims)

Jesus quietly pondered in His heart...

“...Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: remove this chalice from me; but not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36, Douay Rheims)

The Roman executioners screamed at him, dragged and roughly stripped Jesus of His blood-stained garments; simultaneously tearing open the wounds yet again.  They also grab the loin cloth woven by His mother.  The soldiers divided and cast lots for the garments. 

“As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue sticks to my palate; you lay me in the dust of death.  Many dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me.  So wasted are my hands and feet that I can count all my bones.  They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.  But you, Lord, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me.” (Psalm 22:16-20, NAB)

Jesus, thirsty and trembling from pain, is now stripped of whatever dignity that was left – exposed, unclad, empty, almost naked to the world…yet, Jesus, sinless, was not ashamed…Jesus had no need to hide…no need to be afraid…(unlike the first sinful Adam, in the Garden of Eden)  Golgotha is no paradise...

“...(Adam said)...I heard thy voice in paradise; and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10, Douay Rheims)

As if, in vengeance, similar to the first Adam, cast out from the Garden of Eden, Jesus is now cast out from the holy city of Jerusalem to Golgotha.

Like the first Adam who ate from the ‘tree of life’, choosing the freedom to know what is good and evil, Jesus will soon be 'eaten' by the tree of death, stripped of everything…every freedom...every choice…emptying Himself completely to save us.


The soldiers, behaving worst than beasts continued to scourge His bare back…tearing and scattering bits of bloodied flesh all over the peak of Golgotha…‘purifying’ the altar of crucifixion…making it holy for the Son of God.

The women in the crowd continue to wail and cry.  Jesus fell and landed heavily on His knees, staring at the crowd in deep sorrow, He wept because He loved them...a simple whisper...

“…Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34, Douay Rheims)

Quiet Pondering:


This week of Lent, you have witnessed the bitter and humiliating description of Jesus being stripped of every piece of clothing.  How sorrowful this must have been for the Son of Man.

Jesus will soon be mounted and executed in the most horrorful, shameful and painful manner - possessing nothing and yet, possessing everything because He is the Son of God.


Jesus, you freely tolerated the shameful mockery everybody made of you.  Teach us this Lent,  patience so that we too will learn to be humble; not behave arrogantly like the soldiers and the crowd.  That we will always and freely make the better choice to follow you.


Strip us, Lord of our imperfections and slavery to the ways of the world.  Strip us, Lord or our arrogance and judgemental ways.  Help us develop a sense of peace and quiet deep in the center of our being where you reside.


Clothe us this Lent, with your garments of mercy and grace as you continue to walk with us each day. Grant that we will always choose not to ‘strip’ or ‘disfigure’ you, through the ways we live our lives and in the ways we treat others.

‘The devil is no fool.  He can get people feeling about heaven the way they ought to feel about hell.  He can make them fear the means of grace the way they do not fear sin.  And he does so, not by light but by obscurity, not by realities but by shadows; not by clarity and substance, but by dreams and the creatures of psychosis.  And men are so poor in intellect that a few cold chills down their spine will be enough to keep them from ever finding out the truth about anything.”

- Thomas Merton