Good Friday

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

After a long night of questioning and cruel mistreatment, and even abandonment by His own disciples after His arrest, Jesus was scourged by Pontius Pilate's order. The Roman soldiers then placed a crown of thorns upon Our Lord's head, and they clothed Him in a purple cloak in order to mock Him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" It was in this state that Pilate had Jesus brought out before the people and announced, "Behold the man."

Unmoved by His pitiable state, the chief priests and guards demanded Our Lord's immediate execution by crucifixion. In His great humility and loving obedience to His Father, Jesus endured insults, blows and being spat upon. He bore the weight of the Cross and the sins of the world. He allowed nails to be driven into His hands and feet for the glorification of His Father and the redemption of the world.

Saint Bridget of Sweden had ardently desired to know the number of blows Jesus suffered during His Passion. Our Lord appeared to her one day and told her, "I received 5,480 blows on My Body."

It's hard to imagine how broken the Blessed Virgin Mary's heart was on this day we know as Good Friday. Today we bind our hearts to the grieving heart of Mary as we reflect upon the most sorrowful day of all time — the crucifixion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.