Our Father Who art in Heaven...
What have the soldiers done? They are bored and mean and have made Jesus into a pretend king by putting a crown of thorns on his head. The thorns hurt, but it's the meanness in the soldier's hearts that hurts even more.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
They have put a circle of thorns around the mind of Jesus. The mind of Jesus only made the best and most beautiful thoughts. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Jesus said, "Feed the hungry." Jesus also said, "Forgive people, again and again."
Hail Mary, full of grace...
It's very terrible that the soldiers even spit at Jesus, acting like wild animals or monsters. Saint Seraphim tamed a bear. Saint Francis tamed a wild wolf. Saint George tamed a dragon. O Jesus, tame what's wild in human hearts.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Jesus always invited people to live in the Kingdom of God. Let God rule your heart, full of patience and kindness for people where there is pain and sadness. This is called compassion.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
The soldiers dress Jesus in a faded robe; they slap, curse and blindfold him. But even all of this doesn't cause God to punish or hate us.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
 |
| Saint Joan of Arc |
Sometimes hate comes from one heart. Sometimes hate comes from a group. The hateful group of soldiers who hurt Jesus were soldiers of the Roman Empire. But some soldiers have become saints, like Saint Bacchus, Saint George, Saint Martin and Saint Joan.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Through all of this mistreatment, Jesus doesn't argue or try to get even, but he is silent. Jesus, like a lamb. In his heart he knows we must take care of each other. Sometimes there is too much talking and too little action.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Here we see the humility of Jesus. He stands with all the people of the world for whom life is so difficult everyday - the people who never get a rest, whose work is dangerous, the people who have nothing.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Jesus understands our weakness. He knows our thinking can be confused. He knows we are often afraid to be brave. He knows we're tempted to choose evil instead of good. O Jesus, be a light for my path.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Jesus told the story about the farmer who planted seeds in his garden. Seeds are a sign of our desire to receive and love God. When the seeds started to grow, some of them were choked out by the thorn bushes. I want a great love for God to grow freely in my heart.
Hail Mary full of grace...
Glory be to the Father...
