We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Because, by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world. “Carrying the cross” and “being crucified with Jesus” are two overlapping metaphors that apply to the whole of the Christian life. Still, in terms of the intensity of suffering, one could make a distinction between carrying…
Some of the words of Jesus are easier for us to hear than others. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” is soothing balm for the troubled heart (Matt 11:28). The next verse, however, points to one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life:…
Last month, in the second sorrowful mystery, we contemplated Jesus’ lacerated body. Now, in the third sorrowful mystery, our focus shifts to His lacerated heart. Our Saviour is clothed in a purple garment and a crown of thorns is cruelly pressed into His head – a mock king for the jeering pleasure of an obnoxious…
The scourging of Jesus at the pillar is a heartrending scene. The most innocent Lamb of God delivers His body over to one of the cruelest and most barbaric of punishments – a Roman scourging – to show us the depth of His love for us in our human weakness. Ever since the Fall of…
Soon after solid spiritual reading became a part of my daily life, I was struck by the emphasis the saints place upon the Passion of Jesus. The saints are unanimous in telling us to meditate on the Passion, if holiness is the desire of our hearts. In view of their wisdom, I was surprised that…