Meditation for Friday

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR FRIDAY

JESUS CHRIST DERIDED IN HIS ROYAL DIGNITY

“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.’ And spitting upon Him, they took the reed and struck His Head” (Matt. 27, 29–30).

First Prelude. Behold Christ with the purple robe, the crown of thorns and the mock-scepter, with which the brutal soldiery derided His royal dignity.

Second Prelude. O Jesus, fill my heart with true compunction and shame at the thought of the ignominy and pain Thou didst suffer for my sins.

First Point. The Marks of Christ’s Royal Dignity

“I am a King, but my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18, 36), Jesus had answered Pilate. Here is revealed the mystery of this Kingship, wholly different from that of earthly rulers. They are the recipients of a golden crown; the King of heaven and earth is crowned with thorns. Earthly monarchs are arrayed in gorgeous robes; an old, purple cloak is put in derision upon the shoulders of our heavenly King. Earthly kings bear a golden scepter, before which the people bow reverently, paying homage; Jesus, the King of kings, the Prince of rulers, is given a reed in His right hand in mockery. See the soldiers bending the knee before Him in malicious homage, saying: “Hail, King of the Jews!” Hear the blasphemies uttered against the Son of God! Behold how Jesus suffers shame and contempt, receives a disgraceful blow and is spat upon! Ponder the unheard-of torments He suffers with inimitable meekness and patience. At such a price He purchased His royal dignity! Prostrate before Jesus with the myriad angels, we will profoundly adore Him as King of heaven and earth, in Whose name every knee shall bend. As often as we appear before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we will render Him profound homage and make reparation for the blasphemies and the insults still heaped upon Him today.

Second Point. The Fruits of Christ’s Sufferings for Himself and His Elect

In recognition of all the contempt and the disgrace which Jesus Christ endured to redress the insults offered the Divine Majesty, the heavenly Father prepared for Him an empire of majesty, of dignity, and of power. He gave Him dominion over all creatures, and the right, as Supreme Judge, to pronounce sentence upon them. The Son of the Eternal Word shall one day come as King of Glory, accompanied by His angels and saints. All those who have made Him the King of their hearts, observed His commandments, and proved loyal in the combat against His enemies, shall then participate in His glory. Countless martyrs of all ranks and nations, who with Him drank the chalice of suffering and found comfort, encouragement and perseverance through Him, now have Him for their King for all eternity. Under His banner, likewise, fight all those whom He has chosen from all eternity to share His glory. Supported by the strength Jesus merited for us by His passion and encouraged by the greatness of our hope, we, too, shall find in the practice of mortification, of penance, of renunciation, in the exercise of humility, meekness and patience, and in the faithful discharge of the duties of our holy vocation, the grace to finish our course victoriously. What a pity it were, if in the wake of our thorn-crowned Bridegroom, we should refuse to suffer, and should complain on finding a few thorns in our path! Does my conscience testify that I have made Jesus King of my heart, and that I am perfectly submissive to Him?

Affections. Benediction, praise and adoration to Thee for all eternity, O King of everlasting Glory, Who in this life didst seek naught but sufferings, ignominy, and contempt! Ye holy angels, witnesses of the terrible torments and the grievous insults inflicted on your and our King, help us by your profound adoration, by your acts of praise and homage, to make satisfaction and reparation, and adequately to thank Him for such infinite love. O Heart of my King, satiated with an excess of abasement and contempt, imbue my heart with Thy sentiments. Give me grace to despise all vanity and pride, to tread self-love under foot, that resembling Thee, my kingly Leader, here in this life, I may be found worthy to love and praise Thee for all eternity in Thy heavenly kingdom.

Resolution. I will frequently thank Jesus for the derision He bore for my sake, and for love of Him, be zealous in the practice of humility and self-denial.

Spiritual Bouquet. “Praise, honor and adoration, be to Thee, our God and King for all eternity!”

Prayer. Jesus, my Lord, my King…