In the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery, we contemplate the condemnation of Jesus to death and His walk to Calvary with the cross on His back.
From the Gospel of John (19:16-17)
Then he (Pilate) handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.
Commentary by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
God’s infinite love! Christ, being innocent, was pierced through with nails in His feet and hands, and endured pain. To me, who has not suffered any pain or torment, through participation in His suffering, He freely gives me salvation.
Meditation 1
At Jesus’ trial, Pilate was also judged, condemned, and shackled. Pilate paid for his previous mistakes; there had already been so many that now, despite being convinced that Jesus was innocent and looking for a way to save Him, he was unable to do so. The accusations against him in Rome were already numerous, and Pilate could not afford another.
The all-powerful Pilate, after all, had lost all his power because of his mistakes in governance, and was now at the mercy of being blackmailed by the religious authorities of Israel. No one is above the truth, morality, and justice. He would have been free to release Jesus if he had not been imprisoned by his own mistakes, which he had already denounced to the emperor. Only truth, justice and love make us truly free.
Meditation 2
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). - If we do not affirm others in our lives, we will not be truly happy. But we cannot affirm others without denying ourselves.
The reason for living is not merely to be happy — that is a petty-bourgeois view of life. Raoul Follereau, regarded as the apostle of the lepers, said in his testament to young people: "The greatest misfortune that can happen to you is not to be useful to anyone." Being useful is the true reason for living. Who am I useful to?
Jesus’ journey to Calvary is an opportunity for us to contemplate the Holy God who, in Christ, gives Himself to humanity in faithfulness until the end. He is the compassionate God who offers His mercy to all.
How far we still have to go! How many “crosses” there are to help carry, at least through prayer! What does it cost me right now to “go all the way”? Do I help carry the crosses of others, or do I always stay locked up in my own pain? It is not only pleasure that makes us selfish; pain does too.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You bore on Your back
the weight of our sins and of all humanity,
we thank You for Your unconditional surrender.
On the way to Calvary,
You faced pain, contempt, and loneliness,
and made every step a lesson in love and fidelity.
Help us, Lord, to carry our crosses with patience and courage,
always remembering that You walk beside us.
When difficulties seem unbearable,
give us the strength to trust in You,
just as You trusted the Father until the end.
Teach us to see the crosses of others,
to share the burden of those around us
and to be instruments of Your compassion and mercy.
Do not let pain make us selfish or closed in on ourselves,
but rather, let us be supportive and generous in serving others.
Lord, may Your walk to Calvary
inspire us to follow You with open hearts,
ready to deny ourselves
and embrace the love and truth You have taught us.
May Your example of self-giving and sacrifice
guide us each day, so that we can live as true disciples,
serving and loving others as You have loved us. Amen.
Fr. Jorge Amaro, IMC
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