Sorrowful Mysteries Meditations

The Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and on Sundays in Lent. For each one: read the Scripture, sit with it for a moment, then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Begin with this prayer.

Jesus, I’m going to walk with You through the worst day of Your life. I’d rather look away, but You didn’t look away from me. Keep my mind from wandering. Let each mystery show me how much You love me, and let it change something in me before I stand up. Amen.

He knew what was coming, and He asked for another way. Then He said yes anyway. The fruit of this mystery: sorrow for sin. Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be.

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. Luke 22:41-44

Jesus, You were afraid, and You told Your Father so. Then You chose His will over Your own. When I’m facing something I dread, let me be honest with God the way You were, and then let me say yes the way You did. Amen.

Pilate had Him whipped to satisfy a crowd. Isaiah saw it centuries before: by His wounds we are healed. The fruit of this mystery: purity. Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be.

So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him. John 19:1

But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Jesus, every blow fell on You so that healing could come to me. I can’t take it in. Where my body and my habits pull me away from You, heal me. Make me clean on the inside, for You paid for it. Amen.

The soldiers made a joke of Him: a crown of thorns, a purple robe, “Hail, King of the Jews!” He let them. The fruit of this mystery: courage. Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be.

The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him. John 19:2-3

Jesus, they mocked You as a fake king, and You were the real one. You didn’t defend Yourself. When people laugh at what I believe, give me the courage to stay quiet and steady, and not to care so much what the world thinks of me. Amen.

He was too weak to carry it alone, so the soldiers grabbed a stranger from the crowd. The fruit of this mystery: patience. Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be.

When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus. Luke 23:26

Jesus, Simon of Cyrene didn’t volunteer, but he ended up carrying Your cross. When a burden lands on me that I didn’t choose, give me patience to carry it behind You. And show me whose cross I could help carry today. Amen.

Between two criminals He forgave the people killing Him, and then He gave His spirit to the Father. The fruit of this mystery: perseverance. Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be.

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. Luke 23:33-34

Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

Jesus, You forgave them while the nails were still in. You trusted Your Father with Your last breath. Teach me to forgive before I feel like it, and to trust Him to the very end. I commit my life into His hands, as You did. Amen.

Tuesday and Friday mornings are the traditional days. One decade before breakfast is enough to start.

Good morning, Jesus. Before I start rushing, let me remember what You went through for me. Let one mystery stay with me today, so that when I’m tired or wronged or afraid, I remember You were too, and You kept loving. Amen.