Thoughts on The Sorrowful Mysteries

This morning as I said the Rosary I tried to meditate upon the Sorrowful Mysteries (truth be told, with more mind wandering than actual meditating, as is usual with me).

I found myself not only thinking about what Jesus experienced, but also relating the Mysteries to the Christian life.

The First Mystery, the Agony in the Garden, it occurred to me, could be equated to what the individual goes through in trying to live as a Christian. The suffering is internal caused by all the guilt, all the remorse, all the painful memories. We must deal with those as part of our spiritual journey.

The Scourging at the Pillar could be equated to the suffering caused by others - the mockery, the insults, the pressure to conform to the ways of the world, the various kinds of martyrdom the Christian might face, including even jail, torture, and death.

The third Mystery, Crowning with Thorns, can be likened to being crowned with the Crown of Faith. Yes, we have a Heavenly Crown, but while we are here is can be a Crown that leads to pain and suffering. It does not rest easily on our worldly heads.

The Carrying of the Cross is something we all have to do. We have our burdens, our weaknesses, our sinful natures, that we must carry with us. Faith does not simply wipe them away so that life is peaceful and easy. And like Jesus,k we must carry them willingly, without complaining and blaming, and with a willingness to still reach out to others.

Finally, the Crucifixion. We are called as Christians to sacrifice ourselves willingly - even if it means death.

I know: Not particularly profound or original. But I have a long way to go and grow.