Scourging At The Pillar
Understand The Nature Of Suffering
To Bring Serenity In Your Life
"Blessed are they that suffer persecution
for justice' sake: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:10
The scourging at the pillar is a mournful event that serves as a reminder of the
horrors Jesus suffered for love of you.
It may be useful to look at a picture of the scourging at the pillar. Or even
listen to some uplifting music while meditating on this mystery of the rosary.
When meditating on this second of the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary,
keep in mind that the fruit of the mystery is purity.
Jesus scourged is a truly sorrowful event in the life of Jesus.
It is beneficial to meditate upon it and you can do so in the Rosary prayer.
Below is an account of Jesus' trial and scourging...
After Jesus was arrested, He was brought before Ciaphas the high priest.
Ciaphas, after finding Him "guilty" took Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman
governor who ruled over those parts.
Jesus was brought before Pilate, because Jesus' enemies wanted Him executed
and only the Roman ruler could have a prisoner put to death.
This all made Pilate quite uncomfortable.
Pilate went on to interview Jesus.
During the interview, Pilate asked Jesus...
"Art thou a king then? Jesus answered:
Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I
into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that
is of the truth, heareth my voice. Pilate saith to him: What is truth?" -John 18:37-38.
In all justice, Pilate believed it was wrong to condemn Jesus to death.
His crime did not warrant such a punishment.
Pilate was also a coward. He was afraid the leaders of the Jews would start a
rebellion if he did not give into their demands.
Trying to weasel his way out of this predicament, and in honor of the feast
day of the Passover, he offered to release a prisoner.
Hoping the people would chose Jesus, Pilate had them choose either Jesus or
Barabas a violent criminal.
His plan backfired and the people chose to have Barabas released and demanded
that Jesus be crucified.
Knowing he was backed into a corner and being a weak man, he caved into the
pressure from the crowd and symbolically asked for a bowl and then washed his
hands in the water claiming he was innocent of Jesus blood.
"Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered
him unto them to be crucified." -Matthew 27:26
Jesus was stripped of His clothes and tied to a stone pillar.
He was surrounded by a blood thirsty mob who were shouting and encouraging the
cruel Roman soldiers as they lashed His divine flesh with leather whips tipped
with sharp stones.
Blood flowed forth as His flesh was torn from His sacred body.
The Bible passages for the Scourging at the Pillar were taken from the timeless Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible.
If you are looking for a more modern language version of the Scourging at the Pillar, our recommendation would be the
St. Ignatius Press Bible.
If you would like to read the full scriptural account of the Scourging at the Pillar it can be found
in Mark 15:15 and the Old Testament prophesy Isaias 53:2-5.
Return to Sorrowful Mysteries page
More Meditations
On The
Rosary Sorrowful Mystery
Scourging At The Pillar...
Below you will find further thoughts to enhance your meditation on the Scourging at the Pillar.
Return often to this page when you are praying this Sorrowful Mystery of the rosay - Scourging at the Pillar.
Remember to bookmark this page so you can refer to it often...
You can also contribute your own meditations on this Rosary mystery by going here...
Below are some meditations to think about as you pray...
Pilate didn't want to have Jesus crucified. No matter how good his intentions were,
freeing Barabbas, trying to reason with the high priests, in the end he still
condemned Jesus to death.
His role in the passion of Jesus illustrates how having good intentions doesn't excuse sin.
The mob demanding the torture and death of Jesus represents those who prefer
sin and worldly passions over following the laws of God.
Don't be like Pontius Pilate who made the choice to put Jesus to death because
it was the easier thing to do.
When you are faced with a tough decision spend time in prayer asking God for His guidance.
Remember to ask yourself...
-
am I doing the better thing?
-
what is motivating me?
-
the desire to do good or just selfish motives?
When considering that Jesus was stripped of His garmets, remind yourself not
to become to attached to things of this world such as clothing, appearance,
food or drink for they all shall pass away but your soul will live forever.
Am I giving my soul more attention than worldly goods.
The sins of the flesh, those of passion and sensuality are the sins that Jesus
was making amends for during His painful scourging.
The fruit of this mystery is purity.
No matter what your state in life, whether it be married or single, young or old,
practice the virtue of purity.
It is also very important to teach this virtue to the children in your life.
It was very cruel indeed the way Jesus' enemies mocked Him and watched on with
pleasure as He was scourged.
Never hate another person or rejoice in their misfortunes.
Jesus beared the pain of the scourging in heroic silence. Keep that in mind the next
time you have a reason to complain.
Consider this verse...
"For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but
if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live." -Romans 8:13
Those whips that scourged Jesus were caused by your sins and mine.
With Jesus' scourging in mind commit yourself to never again offend God, especially
by sins of the flesh.
"For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."
-Hebrews 12:6
Scourging was a form of hideous torture. Many who underwent this torture died
from the wounds.
Poor Jesus suffered this horrible punishment in reparations for the sins of all.
Prayer After Meditation On
The
Scourging At The Pillar...
Dear Lord, because of the cruel torture Jesus underwent when He was scourged,
I will strive, with Your grace, to keep my thoughts, words and deeds pure.
Thank you for enduring such tortures for my sake and please never let me forget
what you went through when I am going through my own trials. I love you Jesus.
Amen.
Visit our third Sorrowful Mystery page - Crowning with Thorns
Return to our first Sorrowful Mystery page - Agony in the Garden
Return to our Rosary Mysteries page
More scriptural meditations on the rosary - Scourging at the Pillar here...
Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...
Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these
Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus.
They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on
the cross. Therefore read more...
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus
loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no
man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...
Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How
exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead,
making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious
events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...
Return to our Origin of the Rosary page
Return to our Meditations on the Rosary page
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