In contemplating them on a recent ride, I was struck by how the Mysteries pretty much covered all the bases of human suffering. Consider the following:
- The Agony in the Garden - Here Jesus is betrayed by one he loves. Our heartbreak from those that we love is usually just that - heartbreak. Betrayal is certainly hard, but it usually never ends up in us being killed.
- The Scourging at the Pillar - Jesus is beaten mercilessly - nearly to the point of death. His flesh is torn and His body is battered. The physical pain He suffered has to be more than most will ever be asked to endure, regardless of the circumstance.
- The Crowning of Thorns - It is not often that the taunts and ridicule that we endure come with thorns being thrust into our scalps. Words can cause pain. The crown takes things to a whole other level.
- Carrying the Cross - This one has multiple parallels. The first is the most obvious of the cross, and what the means for all of us as we bear our crosses. The second is the meeting of His mother, and knowing He was going to die. Looking into Mary's eyes and seeing Her pain had to kill Jesus as much as the cross would eventually do.
- The Crucifixion - Here Jesus dies, but in a manner much slower, much more painful, and much more horrible that we'll ultimately endure.
The bottom line to all this is that Jesus knows our suffering. Not just because He's God, but because He endured it just like we do. As a human. He knows what it all feels like.
Why do we have to suffer in the first place? Kids, if I knew that, I'd sell a lot of books. But what I do know is that, even when we're at the deepest and darkest point, we know Somebody that's shared our fate, if not had things imminently worse.
I somehow find comfort in that, and feel that maybe when some day I meet Him and tell Him of my woes, He'll look at me, nod, and tell me, "I know, my child. I know."
Great post! It really makes one reflect, to think and appreciate what we have. Have a Happy Easter.
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