Prayers - The path to empowerment, intimacy and peace

A) Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Christ's Agony in Gethsemane

• Matthew 26:26-56

• Mark 14:32-72

• Luke 22:39-71

• John 18:1-27

2. Scourging at the Pillar

• Matthew 27:11-26

• Mark 15:1-15

• Luke 23:1-25

• John 18:28-19:1

3. Crowning with Thorns

• Matthew 27:27-31 | Mark 15:16-20 | John 19:2-16

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. *(NRSVCE)

Pick any one Reflection below for Meditating this Decade:

A) UPLIFTING A PERSON'S DIGNITY [Read verse 27-31 above] The ultimate humiliation is to be mocked when one is on death row. To deny one of life is to strip the person of every dignity. As though the impending crucifixion of Jesus' is not tortuous enough, the soldiers gathered the entire battalion to the praetorium in order to make sport of a man about to die.

• Meditation: When we treat others in an undignified manner, it is a reflection of our own insecurity and lack of charity. Lord! Increase our generosity, and wisdom to uplift those you have placed under our care - our employees, our colleagues under our charge, our children, our aged parents, and especially our spouse. Jesus, I see your face in all of them. By practising the virtues of kindness and encouragement, may we give you glory, and bring them to an intimate experience of your love.

B) [You may use the above reflections or when praying as a family or group come up with your own! Have one family member read a part or the entire scriptural passage above that strikes them (1 or 2 verses is just fine). Listen with an open heart as this person shares his/her thoughts or insights. A family praying the rosary together is a graced-filled way to foster spiritual growth and bonding together.]

4. Carrying of the Cross

• Matthew 27:32-34

• Mark 15:21-23

• Luke 23:26-33

5. Crucifixion

• Matthew 27:35-61

• Mark 15:24-47

• Luke 23:34-56

• John 19:17-42

• Isaiah 53

• Wisdom 2:12-24

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