To a world gone mad in the pursuit of pleasure, Christ from the
pillar seems to say: "Learn of Me." Standing quivering under the
cruel lashes, what a lesson of mortification Christ teaches! Is
not every gaping wound in His Sacred Body a rebuke to us who
seek to indulge ourselves at all costs--even the cost of our
eternal salvation. As we watch the scourging of our Saviour let
us bemoan our sins, especially our sins of sensuality.
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, preach to us anew the sermon of St.
Paul, who chastised his body and brought it under subjection.
"Know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost
who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own?
For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in
your body." (I Cor. VI, 19.)
Third Sorrowful Mystery:
"The Crowning With Thorns"
"Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall,
gathered together unto Him the whole band; and stripping Him,
they put a scarlet cloak about Him. And platting a crown of
thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand.
And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him, saying: Hail,
king of the Jews."--(St. Matt., XXVII, 27-29.)