Friday 6.00-7.00am

Mark 15:16-32

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²¹ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. ²² They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ²³ Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
²⁵ It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶ The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. ²⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰ come down from the cross and save yourself!”
³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Additional readings

• Matthew 27: 27-30
• John 19: 2-3

PRAY

 

O Loving Wisdom of the living God,                                                                                                                              

O everlasting Word                                                                                                                                                            

 and Power of the Eternal One:                                                                                                                                   

Grant us what you have promised;                                                                                                                                

and give us, unworthy as we are,                                                                                                                              

 what you have offered to all alike;                                                                                                                          

that your passion may be our deliverance                                                                                                                     

and your death our life,                                                                                                                                                

your cross our redemption                                                                                                                                           

and your wound our healing;                                                                                                                                         

and that, being crucified with you,                                                                                                                                      

we may by your gift be exalted                                                                                                                                        

to the Holy One on high,                                                                                                                                                   

with whom you live and reign with the Holy Spirit,                                                                                                   

one God, blessed for evermore. Amen.

 adapted from the Missale Gallicanum Vetus

late 7^th or early 8^th century

Read and Pray - click here

The crucifixion and death of Jesus by Victor Hoagland, C.P.

Constantly remember the pains of our crucified Love. Know that those great saints who now reign with divine love in heaven above reached the height of perfection by this very path. --St Paul of the Cross

People in love have no trouble remembering all kinds of things about each other — the color of eyes, the distinctive tone of voice, the gifts which bring delight, and the other person's characteristic moods and preferences. People in love remember the sacrifices they have made for each other over the years.
People in love also know very well the sufferings that burden each other’s heart. Indeed, being sure of a friend’s supportive care makes it possible for us to bear with enormous difficulties in life. Keeping in mind each other's pain teaches us to share our gifts sensitively and generously.
When we remember the pain of Jesus Crucified, gratitude soon follows because we recall that he endured those sufferings on our behalf. He is no longer suffering for us: “He did that once for all when he offered himself.” (Hebrews 7:28).
Christ does not need our strength now. But we give thanks for his love by sharing our compassion with those who suffer today. They are numberless and, too often, faceless and nameless. The path to holiness leads us to love our neighbor with the generosity of Jesus, who gave his life for us.