Monday, November 26, 2012
The Way of the Cross
Dear friends,
A reading from St. Mark’s Gospel (15:16-21):
The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
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Yesterday was the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. Next Sunday we begin Advent in preparation for Christmas. The Gospel of yesterday was the passage from St. John’s Gospel concerning the trial of Jesus before Pilate. I had written about the same passage in St. Mark’s Gospel. Pilate had asked Jesus this question: “Are you the King of the Jews?” and Jesus had said: “You say so.” This means that Jesus accepted that He is King. Indeed He is our King.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and King given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words:
“Join with Me, My brother Melvin, and all My brothers and sisters living in all parts of the world, as I undergo My Passion. I suffered terribly at the hands of the soldiers. First they scourged Me and then they mocked Me by putting on me a purple cloak, which is the colour for a king, and they saluted Me and struck Me on the head where they had put the crown of thorns. They also spat on Me. After I was mocked, they stripped Me of the purple cloak and put on My own clothes and let me out to be crucified. I carried My cross for a time but I was very weak and I fell three times. They got Simon a Cyrenian to help Me. You know, My friends, that I suffered all this for you so that you could be free from your sins. Indeed I am the suffering King, your Savior. If you come to Me My brothers and sisters and show your love for Me by following Me, you will surely give Me great joy. Come and remain in close union with Me. Pray every day. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin