Jesus Takes Up His Cross

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 27:27-31
The procurator's soldiers took Jesus inside the praetorium and collected the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown of thorns they fixed it on his head, and stuck a reed in his right hand. Then they began to mock him by dropping on their knees before him, saying, "All hail, king of the Jews!" They also spat at him. Afterwards they took hold of the reed and kept striking him on the head. Finally, when they had finished making a fool of him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion.

REFLECTION
Most fortunate is the soul who walks by the way of Calvary, following Jesus our Redeemer, for if we suffer with Christ now with Christ we shall reign in the glory of the Father. --Saint Paul of the Cross

LET US PRAY
O God, through the sufferings of Your only-begotten Son, You have crushed the pride of the ancient enemy: grant us the grace to remember with great devotion all He has suffered for us, so that with tranquil soul we may bear all the sufferings and adversities which come upon us. Through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness. The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. -- St. Paul of the Cross

Station of the Cross from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Botkins, Ohio.