By: Tom Dzwonczyk
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Consider how Jesus was violently stripped of His clothes by His executioners. The inner garments adhered to his lacerated flesh and the soldiers tore them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Have pity for your Savior so cruelly treated.
Our
first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned and thus became aware of their nakedness.
They were ashamed of their state, so they sewed fig leaves together to cover
themselves. In this station, we see the reverse happening to Christ, the new
Adam. The Roman soldiers, in an attempt to shame Jesus the spotless Lamb of
God, strip Christ of His garments and leave Him barely covered. Of course,
Christ has no sin and yet He bears the marks of our sins on His body. Look upon
His exposed flesh…dry…bloody… and recognize that His same body and blood are
present in the Eucharist. The soldiers tried to shame Christ, but He cannot be
shamed. Rather, it is we, who like Adam and Eve, should be ashamed of our
wrongdoings when we ponder Jesus in this station. We should be humbled every
time we approach Him in the most Blessed Sacrament.
Contrast what is revealed when Jesus
is stripped of His garments, with what will be revealed in us when we are
stripped at the Last Judgement. Jesus is the bread for the life of the world;
His flesh is true food and His blood is true drink. Now, let us turn to
ourselves. What foolish facades have we clothed ourselves with? Do we not
realize that all of our deeds done in darkness will be brought into the light?
We need Jesus to help us remove the sin-stained garments with which we cover
ourselves. Let us hasten to cast off these evil cloaks and instead fortify
ourselves with the armor of Christ.
Jesus, cleanse us from our sins,
shelter us from the forces of evil, and help us to boast in nothing but Your
cross. For when we are weak, it is there that You are strong.
Jesus, grant that all those being called to the priesthood and consecrated life will clothe themselves with sincere compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness and patience, forgiveness and thankfulness...and over all these virtues, let them put on love. May they understand that their vocation discernment is their deepest response to Your love.