The Second Sorrowful Mystery ~ The Scourging at the Pillar

Our Father...

The Flemish painter, John-Paul Rubens (1577-1640), created this image titled The Flagellation of Christ. We might more typically call it The Scourging at the Pillar. It is said of St. Kateri Tekakwitha: She prayed more with her eyes than with her lips.

Hail Mary...

This is a rough scene. Scourging was a prelude to crucifixion, but sometimes it so weakened the man he was unable to walk to the place of execution. Here the scourging of Christ seems to be more than just a cruel piece of Roman law, but rather a great unleashing of humankind's angry hatred towards God.

Hail Mary...

In the Genesis account, we were created by God and placed in a wondrous and harmonious paradise. It doesn't take long though before the story becomes violent and brother murders brother. One anonymous source says: "If God lived in a house on earth today - all his windows would be broken." 

Hail Mary...

The tough guy on the left is using a whip with a piece of metal attached to the end. Someone actually thought how to "enhance" a tool so that it would do more damage. Depravity runs deep in humankind. These kinds of things happen still. Americans have a short memory when it comes to shameful things. Have we already forgotten Abu Graib?

Hail Mary...

This awful scene happens at night. One major newspaper reported at the start of this month that many hundreds of migrant young people have been shuttled at night to a tent city in the Texas desert. At night.

Hail Mary...

A young man in the background is mocking Jesus with a pretend salute. Bullies mock, even in school playgrounds. But it's especially sad when the mockery is performed by persons of authority, influence and leadership. These people are supposed to bring out the best in us. But this is probably an ignorant boy in Ruben's painting. He lives at the bottom of the pile, so he uses mockery to enhance his stature. 

Hail Mary...

At the bottom right in the painting we see a dog entering the room. Dogs are often included in paintings depicting Gospel events. A dog is symbolic of faithfulness and loyalty. Oh Jesus, though everyone else might turn against you, my soul will stay true. 

Hail Mary...

Our country feasts on violence. People watch reality television hoping to see a fight in a restaurant - fists and curses flying. Before watching a movie we're exposed to half a dozen previews of fireball explosions, crashes, bleed outs and murders. We use images of burning cities as movie entertainment. And while we don't have a corner on violence, around the world we are thought of as a violent nation. We can defend that, or pray for our conversion.

Hail Mary...

This Gospel scene is found only in Western art; it doesn't appear much in Byzantine or Eastern iconography. We might think the gruesome depictions of Jesus' torture are unnecessary. Or contemplating his prison grief, our souls might be awakened and made sensitive to creation's sorrow and pain. 

Hail Mary...

An arm reaches into the scene holding a bunch of dried sticks - another weapon to be used against Jesus. The bully on the right steadies himself by stepping on Jesus and grins as he holds his own weapon high above his head, the better to increase momentum. But there can be weapons in our hearts and in our minds. Do I want to be a non-violent person?

Hail Mary...

Glory be to the Father...

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Taking of Christ in the Garden

Of course, the First Sorrowful Mystery is The Agony in the Garden. But there is a sub-scene taking place in that Gospel event which the Italian master, Caravaggio, has painted and which offers us opportunity for contemplation. The painting is titled: The Taking of Christ. It is the moment of Judas' betraying kiss and Jesus' arrest.

Our Father...

This scene is filled with movement, emotion-laden action, the tensions of light and dark, violence and surrender. Like much of human life. I might simply pause in silence and wait for some feeling response to rise up before praying the prayer.

Hail Mary...

There are seven figures in this painting. All are seen in profile except the face of Jesus. It makes for a crowded scene - like the political and Church scenes playing out today on newspaper pages, television and computer screens. Caravaggio has painted no background - only darkness. Does this suggest the drama is played out everywhere: betrayal, violence, power abuse?

Hail Mary...

There is a billowing blood-red cloth, umbrella like, over the head of Jesus. This portends the suffering which begins in the garden. Jesus is leaning away from Judas, almost as if he is going to fall down for the sadness of the betrayal. But his hands are prayerful, without a retaliatory weapon. His brow is furrowed, knowing the pain of being turned against and the sad horror of violence.

Hail Mary...

The eyes of Jesus are full of grief. All this clanking metal, gathered to take away the one who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Maybe Jesus' eyes are sorrowful too because he feels the strong grasp of Judas' left hand, which could be the grasp of friendship, but also the phony kiss. So many people in the world have sorrow-filled eyes.

Hail Mary...

Some say the fellow on the far left is the apostle John. The Gospel tells us the apostles were scattered in fear that night. He seems to be running right off the edge of the canvas. This disciple is wearing a tunic, but there was also that un-named man who dropped the sheet he was wrapped in and ran off naked into the night. Like someone who has forfeited his or her baptism relationship with Jesus - for fear.

Hail Mary...

At the same time there is a man on the far right moving into the scene. Caravaggio has painted himself into the painting as a young man. It's only moon light that illumines this night time event, but this fellow is holding up a lantern. He doesn't seem to be part of the meanness. We get the feeling he is perhaps straining to see - even standing on tip-toe. I want to see the face of Jesus. I want to hold up the light of my Baptism candle, however fragile the flame. 

Hail Mary...

You'd think Caravaggio would have placed the face of Jesus right in the center. But no, the over-stated arm of the arresting soldier gets all that attention. We talk a good game, but the world is infatuated with all things military. Imagine what we could do for the world's children if we placed our energies and resources at their service. And as November approaches, all these rallies and pandering for the votes of veterans and military people. Jesus is pushed to the side. Caravaggio seems to understand. 

Hail Mary...

On the other hand, the soldier's shiny, metal arm leads us to Jesus. Caravaggio isn't showing off his talent, but maybe the metal serves as a kind of mirror. Do I dare to look closely; I will see my self. The reflection invites an Examination of Conscience. The nation needs an examination of conscience; so does the church. Remember the 1960's bumper sticker, "My country, right or wrong." That's idolatry. Idolatry is a betrayal.

Hail Mary...

There is a lot of arguing going on these days in the art world over whether or not this painting was really created by Caravaggio. Of course, all the wrangling comes down to money: "Is the picture as valuable as we thought? Will people still pay to see it if its a copy?" Let the artists knock themselves out over it. The only question I need to ask is: "Am I the real deal, an authentic image? Or am I a Christian look-alike; a wanna-be?" 

Hail Mary...

One scholar, musing on this painting, ends by calling it a "secular event." How sad is that - to miss the painting's spiritual content. I must be still now and consider the painted scene. Look at what the world has done: we have arrested the All Good One and given him a fake kiss. 

Hail Mary...

Glory be to the Father...

Intercessions ~ Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October is Respect Life Month./ We pray for those who live in the most difficult situations of violence,/ marginalization,/ poverty,/ lack of education,/ loneliness and abandonment./ For the creation of a world where every human life matters./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for the President of the United States,/ to lead our nation in the creation of peace,/ the rejection of hatred,/ ethnicity and the deep divisions afflicting us./ We pray to the Lord.

With the Synod in Rome/ we pray for the young people of the world,/ but not only those of the first world,/ but of Africa,/ Asia and South America./ For unencumbered hearts,/ the realization of their happiness and growth in goodness./ We pray to the Lord.

We bring to Mass the concerns of our families and friends,/ praying for those who are weak or in poor health,/ who are struggling financially,/ emotionally or in their relationships./ We ask for strength and healing./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray again for those who have recently suffered terrible losses of home and livihood in hurricanes,/ floods,/ wars and famines./ For relief workers,/ rescuers and those who help people to recover./ We pray to the Lord.

As a new week begins,/ may we live gratefully,/ deeply aware of how precious life is/ and with love as our aim./ We pray to the Lord.