Contemplating the Passion of Our Lord

[brown_bear]

Which part or detail of the Passion of Our Lord affects you more, in this moment of your life? And if you may explain: why?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Mary at the foot of the Cross. Looking upon the suffering of her Son, grieving, and giving her consent to the sacrifice. In her company, uniting my (small) sufferings to those of Jesus. Seeing the great sufferings of people around me (e.g., loved ones who are very sick), not fully understanding why, but accepting it as God’s will and trying to support them as I can.

 

[JohnPaulTwoToo]

The moment Jesus cried out “My God, My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me!”

I went to a Catholic elementary school which left me very ambivalent to the Catholic faith, for all the usual reasons. On my first day of public highschool, we only had one class in which our home room teacher (also our science teacher) gave us our orientation. Also, our science lab partners were assigned for the year. My partner was an affable, but scientfically challenged, young future rabbinical student, whose father was a rabbi as well. We hit it off immediately and became very good friends.

After the first class, we lingered around a bit, and one of the Catholic kids from a public elementary school that knew my partner joined us. They quickly resumed a longstanding religious debate – a good-natured one – that had been raging for years at their public school. I quickly found out that about half my new classmates were Jewish and knew each other. And the obvious question came thudding on my fellow Catholic’s head once more – What’s so special about Jesus? Why was he worth following? What did he say that compelled anyone to follow him? At this point, I was edging toward the door to let the other Catholic kid get skewered again by these circling sharp-shooters – when the rabbinical student faced me squarely and demanded, “Tell me something your Jesus said!” Not wanting to engage in religious argument, and not thinking this was worth the effort, my mind went totally blank, and I blurted out, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me!"

What happened next has stayed with me the rest of my life. I soon discovered my rabbinical student friend was far more knowledgeable in religious matters than any kid I’ve known that age. He laughed nervously and asked “When did he say that?”. Miserably, I mumbled “On the cross.” The look of amazement on his face was caught by everyone in the room, who had gathered around us by then. He paused, thought carefully, and then asked me the next question, “Why did you say that?”. Yet more miserably, I answered that I couldn’t think of anything else, and that that’s the way I felt. With reverence, he explained that what I had said was messianic prophecy (something I hadn’t a clue about). He had a kind of authority among his other Jewish classmates, and what he said next nearly caused a riot, “You spoke in the spirit!”

Exclamations of “That’s impossible!”, “The goy can’t be in the spirit!” followed in rapid succession. I was questioned very closely some more, and my rabbinical friend maintained his position, saying he’d consult with his father.

Well, from that day, I was a bit of a legend among the Jewish students, with whom I maintained warm friendships throughout highschool. I always think back to how my Jewish friends helped to teach me my Catholic faith. And, of course, I always remember Our Lord’s words, “My God, My God, Why has Thou forsaken me!” It is in those moments when God is nearest to us.

 

[LilyM]

It’s all extremely affecting, but for me a few moments stand out in addition to those already mentioned.

The first is the Agony in the Garden - the intense pain, horror and terror He felt, the wrestling within himself at the idea of doing the Father’s will. Tha alonneness, with even the Apostles falling asleep on Him. Combined with the hope that His submission at such a time gives to me in difficult moments.

The second - and the impact of this didn’t hit me until I saw it in Passion of the Christ - was his pleading for his crucifiers - ‘Father, forgive them’ - even as they are nailing Him to the cross! What incredible compassion.

The third is the moment where He entrusts Mary and John to each other. That with almost His last breath He thought of their welfare and what He could do to comfort them at such a time.

 

[TOP]

The Agony in the Garden. The weight of all sins where on Him, He stood alone. It is something we have to do in our own lives. Tim

 

[mommyof4]

The moment Jesus cried out “My God, My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me!”

I went to a Catholic elementary school which left me very ambivalent to the Catholic faith, for all the usual reasons. On my first day of public highschool, we only had one class in which our home room teacher (also our science teacher) gave us our orientation. Also, our science lab partners were assigned for the year. My partner was an affable, but scientfically challenged, young future rabbinical student, whose father was a rabbi as well. We hit it off immediately and became very good friends.

After the first class, we lingered around a bit, and one of the Catholic kids from a public elementary school that knew my partner joined us. They quickly resumed a longstanding religious debate – a good-natured one – that had been raging for years at their public school. I quickly found out that about half my new classmates were Jewish and knew each other. And the obvious question came thudding on my fellow Catholic’s head once more – What’s so special about Jesus? Why was he worth following? What did he say that compelled anyone to follow him? At this point, I was edging toward the door to let the other Catholic kid get skewered again by these circling sharp-shooters – when the rabbinical student faced me squarely and demanded, “Tell me something your Jesus said!” Not wanting to engage in religious argument, and not thinking this was worth the effort, my mind went totally blank, and I blurted out, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me!"

What happened next has stayed with me the rest of my life. I soon discovered my rabbinical student friend was far more knowledgeable in religious matters than any kid I’ve known that age. He laughed nervously and asked “When did he say that?”. Miserably, I mumbled “On the cross.” The look of amazement on his face was caught by everyone in the room, who had gathered around us by then. He paused, thought carefully, and then asked me the next question, “Why did you say that?”. Yet more miserably, I answered that I couldn’t think of anything else, and that that’s the way I felt. With reverence, he explained that what I had said was messianic prophecy (something I hadn’t a clue about). He had a kind of authority among his other Jewish classmates, and what he said next nearly caused a riot, “You spoke in the spirit!”

Exclamations of “That’s impossible!”, “The goy can’t be in the spirit!” followed in rapid succession. I was questioned very closely some more, and my rabbinical friend maintained his position, saying he’d consult with his father.

Well, from that day, I was a bit of a legend among the Jewish students, with whom I maintained warm friendships throughout highschool. I always think back to how my Jewish friends helped to teach me my Catholic faith. And, of course, I always remember Our Lord’s words, “My God, My God, Why has Thou forsaken me!” It is in those moments when God is nearest to us.

Wow, neat story.

 

[DJgang]

Right now in my life, Our Blessed Mother’s sorrow during this time, Christ saying “Behold thy mother” to John.

Although, The Agony really brings tears to my eyes. For Christ to be alone for that moment.

 

[TOP]

There is something else about the Agony in the Garden. Though He was alone, an angel did come to comfort Him. That gives me hope that we too have an angel to comfort us as well. Tim

 

[Saint_Gemma]

The scourging in the garden, because I struggle with sins of impurity and and he was scourged for sins of the flesh.

 

[LilyM]

The scourging in the garden, because I struggle with sins of impurity and and he was scourged for sins of the flesh.

Scourged at the Pillar he was - the Agony was in the Garden

The Crowning with Thorns is an interesting one - he was humiliated so to make reparation for our pride. So many of us would never dream of thinking that we*** have*** any undue pride. Makes you stop and think.

 

[Saint_Gemma]

Scourged at the Pillar he was - the Agony was in the Garden

The Crowning with Thorns is an interesting one - he was humiliated so to make reparation for our pride. So many of us would never dream of thinking that we*** have*** any undue pride. Makes you stop and think.

Thank you for correcting me.

 

[Belle10]

It wasn’t until I saw “The Passion of the Christ” that this part was made true for me - I think actually seeing it helped me realize how amazing it is:

When Jesus, bloody, broken, lugging the cross amid mocking and cruelty, sees His mother, and as she cries and tries to wipe His face, He says, “See, I make all things new.” In the midst of abject torture and pain and rejection, Jesus was thinking of making me, a terrible sinner, brand new.

Thank you Lord Jesus!!!