Sometimes my horror at Christ's Passion diminishes while I'm reciting the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. My mind wanders and I'm not properly focused.
But I’ve found a swift way to re-engage.
I visualize my own son being scourged, beaten and forced into carrying a heavy cross up a hill when he is too exhausted to even stand. It is my son having large blunt nails driven into his hands and feet, and my son who is hoisted up, naked, for all to ridicule.
It makes me want to cry out “Stop this cruelty!”
But I’ve found a swift way to re-engage.
I visualize my own son being scourged, beaten and forced into carrying a heavy cross up a hill when he is too exhausted to even stand. It is my son having large blunt nails driven into his hands and feet, and my son who is hoisted up, naked, for all to ridicule.
It makes me want to cry out “Stop this cruelty!”
Stabat Mater
Have you ever wondered what it was like for the Mother of Our Lord to witness her Son being scourged and crucified?
How could she bear to stand at the foot of the Cross and endure the sight of her Beloved Child slowly die of asphyxiation, in agony, with His hands and feet pierced through by thick nails?
How can she possibly love us as her own children, when the only reason her son suffered such a horrific death was because of our behavior?
It boggles my mind to think that she forgave mankind for what we did to her Son!
Could you forgive anyone who killed your child?
A Powerful Intercessor
In Hail Holy Queen: the Mother of God in the Word of God, Scott Hahn points out how Mary continues the tradition, begun by Bethsheba in King Solomon’s day, of interceding with her son on behalf of his subjects.
Remember how she stepped in at the marriage feast of Cana and approached her Son to let Him know the wine had run out. Jesus performed His first miracle at the urging of His Mother.
Mary urges the Father on our behalf, too. Padre Pio tells us: "The Madonna is the shortcut to get to God."
She has forgiven us our trespasses, and become our mother. She wants to heal us and bring us to her Son and the Father.
"Abandon yourself in the hands of Mary. She will take care of you,” Padre Pio also said.
Have you ever wondered what it was like for the Mother of Our Lord to witness her Son being scourged and crucified?
How could she bear to stand at the foot of the Cross and endure the sight of her Beloved Child slowly die of asphyxiation, in agony, with His hands and feet pierced through by thick nails?
How can she possibly love us as her own children, when the only reason her son suffered such a horrific death was because of our behavior?
It boggles my mind to think that she forgave mankind for what we did to her Son!
Could you forgive anyone who killed your child?
A Powerful Intercessor
In Hail Holy Queen: the Mother of God in the Word of God, Scott Hahn points out how Mary continues the tradition, begun by Bethsheba in King Solomon’s day, of interceding with her son on behalf of his subjects.
Remember how she stepped in at the marriage feast of Cana and approached her Son to let Him know the wine had run out. Jesus performed His first miracle at the urging of His Mother.
Mary urges the Father on our behalf, too. Padre Pio tells us: "The Madonna is the shortcut to get to God."
She has forgiven us our trespasses, and become our mother. She wants to heal us and bring us to her Son and the Father.
"Abandon yourself in the hands of Mary. She will take care of you,” Padre Pio also said.
Experiencing Mary’s Love
I can attest to Our Lady’s strong intercessory powers in my own life. During times of great trial, I turn to her. She never fails to come through.
When my husband had been unsuccessful in his original attempt to get his first marriage annulled, we tried again. There was vociferous opposition from various of his family members, and things looked very bleak.
So I prayed the 54 Day Novena, asking Our Lady to intervene with her Son for me. I remembered to add the all-important caveat, “If it be God’s will.” It was hard to accept being banned from taking Holy Communion for the rest of my life, but I resigned myself to that possibility.
During the last week of the novena, a voice spoke very softly in my head, telling me that my wish would be granted.
And sure enough – despite strong obstacles which looked set to prevent it – my husband was granted his annulment.
Another time, my son ate the wrong thing, and was seriously ill for four months, with apparently no end in sight. It was time to ask Our Lady for her help again: I took up my rosary to plead for her intercession.
Once more she came through for me, and my son has just run a marathon in celebration of being well again!
As long as what we want is in line with God’s will for us, we can be confident that Mary Our Mother, Queen of the Rosary, will intercede for us.
I can attest to Our Lady’s strong intercessory powers in my own life. During times of great trial, I turn to her. She never fails to come through.
When my husband had been unsuccessful in his original attempt to get his first marriage annulled, we tried again. There was vociferous opposition from various of his family members, and things looked very bleak.
So I prayed the 54 Day Novena, asking Our Lady to intervene with her Son for me. I remembered to add the all-important caveat, “If it be God’s will.” It was hard to accept being banned from taking Holy Communion for the rest of my life, but I resigned myself to that possibility.
During the last week of the novena, a voice spoke very softly in my head, telling me that my wish would be granted.
And sure enough – despite strong obstacles which looked set to prevent it – my husband was granted his annulment.
Another time, my son ate the wrong thing, and was seriously ill for four months, with apparently no end in sight. It was time to ask Our Lady for her help again: I took up my rosary to plead for her intercession.
Once more she came through for me, and my son has just run a marathon in celebration of being well again!
As long as what we want is in line with God’s will for us, we can be confident that Mary Our Mother, Queen of the Rosary, will intercede for us.
Deliver Us From Evil
Mary desires to save us from the snares of the devil, too, and the rosary is her gift to ensure this.
Do not underestimate the power of the rosary! Padre Pio was devoted to reciting it and said: “The Rosary is the weapon given us by Mary to use against the tricks of the infernal enemy.” For she told him: "With this weapon you will win."
Any time you feel Satan's attacks, recite the rosary and Mary will fight him off.
It amazes me that Our Lady cares so much about us as her own children, after what we did to her Son. Let her come into your life and lead you to Him this Easter.
Note:
On Tuesdays and Fridays we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries when reciting the Rosary daily.
These tableaux in the life of Christ provide an opportunity to dwell on the cruelty towards Jesus.
They also allow us to empathize with Mary’s helpless misery as she watched, and experience deep gratitude to her for forgiving all of us, who caused His suffering.
Mary desires to save us from the snares of the devil, too, and the rosary is her gift to ensure this.
Do not underestimate the power of the rosary! Padre Pio was devoted to reciting it and said: “The Rosary is the weapon given us by Mary to use against the tricks of the infernal enemy.” For she told him: "With this weapon you will win."
Any time you feel Satan's attacks, recite the rosary and Mary will fight him off.
It amazes me that Our Lady cares so much about us as her own children, after what we did to her Son. Let her come into your life and lead you to Him this Easter.
Note:
On Tuesdays and Fridays we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries when reciting the Rosary daily.
These tableaux in the life of Christ provide an opportunity to dwell on the cruelty towards Jesus.
They also allow us to empathize with Mary’s helpless misery as she watched, and experience deep gratitude to her for forgiving all of us, who caused His suffering.
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