The Third Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crown of Thorns

“They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head” (Mt. 27:28-30).

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head” (Mt. 27:27-31). And they mocked him again.

“Once more Pilate went out and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.’ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, ‘Behold, the man!’ When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him’” (Jn 19:4-6).

Jesus stands firm in the face of torture and mockery. He does not plead for mercy or seek to escape. He does not give in to anger or threats. He does not regret the cost of his obedience. He calmly, quietly accepts the Father’s will for love of the Father and for love of us. Our Lord knows his home is with the Father and all these worldly things are passing—both the terrible and the pleasing. We too must calmly seek the Father’s will come what may. We too must stand firm in our faith in the face of a bitter, angry world. We too must live and preach the Gospel of Christ in the face of whatever comes our way, ever knowing all these worldly things are passing away.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Christ suffered for all. He seeks to reconcile even the worst among us. “At the end of the parable of the lost sheep Jesus recalled that God’s love excludes no one: ‘So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’ He affirms that he came ‘to give his life as a ransom for many’; this last term is not restrictive, but contrasts the whole of humanity with the unique person of the redeemer who hands himself over to save us. The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception: ‘There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer’” (CCC 605). We must not give up on anyone. All are called to be our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Jesus sees things so differently than the world sees them. Indeed, he often turns human concepts on their head. How sweetly evident this was when the world looked upon his torture and death as utter, humiliating defeat! In truth, his torture and death were love’s ultimate victory! And the Roman soldiers’ thorny crown and mock praise nonetheless heralded in his true ascent to his heavenly throne. Worldly treasures are nothing compared to heavenly treasures. We should ask Christ to grant us his own mind that we may see as he sees; that we may see things as they truly are.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

We must allow Jesus to dilate our souls to the point we too face abuse and mockery with the gentle love and mercy of Christ.

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Everything in our faith must be practiced. How can we practice loving our enemies? How can we prepare for ill treatment at the hands of others?

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How would we feel if we were mocked as Jesus was mocked? Great indignation? How dare they? Can we see the pride at the heart of indignation? Can we see this utterly lacking from the Lord of the universe?