Posted by Mark M on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 9:10 AM (EDT):
Prayer before a Crucifix
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
“They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.”
Amen.
April 6: Good Friday
“It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured” ~Isaiah 53:4
Posted by Michael B Rooke on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 9:23 AM (EDT):
On the Crucifixion of Jesus before the crucifixion he was offered drugged wine as was the Jewish custom which he refused. [1]
Before the death of Jesus he was offered a drink on a sponge. Many translations give wine on a sponge but the Latin vulgate gives vinegar.[2]. Both are actually correct. So often when there seems to a discrepancy between scriptural texts they are alluding to a deeper truth hidden for our instruction.
The standard drink of the Roman army for three hundred years was an acidified diluted wine called posca that was flavoured with herbs. [3] St John’s gospel states hyssop was used.
The posca at the crucifixion would have been for the benefit of the Roman crucifixion squad of four not the criminals being crucified.
A sponge was a standard piece of Roman army kit for personal ablutions. The crucifixion site would be an unlikely place for a Roman latrine with running water. Sponges were also used as a lining for Roman helmets. [4]
Whether the sponge used to administer the acidified wine to Jesus as suggested above or a means of obtaining refreshment from a pitcher or jug that would have been used by the crucifixion squad itself is a matter for Roman historians.
That a reed was used to offer the sponge [2] does not contradict the offering of posca on a sponge that had hyssop clinging to it. The Vulgate says “about hyssop” and not on a branch of hyssop as many translate.[5]
What is relevant is that the paschal sacrifice of Christ, that redeems humanity in a way that is unique, perfect, and definitive opening up for us communion with God even was offered wine dripping from a sponge with hyssop in a manner of an Old Testament sacrifice. [6]
[1] Mk 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But he took it not.
[2] Mt 48 Et continuo currens unus ex eis, acceptam spongiam implevit aceto, et imposuit arundini, et dabat ei bibere.
48 And immediately one of them running took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink.
[3] Dalby, Andrew. “Posca”, Food in the Ancient World from A to Z, p. 270 ;
Roth, Jonathan. The Logistics of the Roman Army at War (264 B.C.-A.D. 235), pp. 37-38
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posca
[4] Galea Among the materials used for the lining of helmets were felt ...and sponge. http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-dgra/0573.html
[5] Jn 19: 29 Vas ergo erat positum aceto plenum. Illi autem spongiam plenam aceto, hyssopo
Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth.
[6] Heb 9: 19 For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people. 20 Saying: This is the blood of the testament which God has enjoined unto you. Cf Ex 12:22 Ex 24:8
Posted by Mary Weaver Mann on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 9:48 AM (EDT):
REFLECTIONS
Life is short and death is sure; the hour of death remains obscure.
A soul you have, and only one; if that be lost all hope is gone.
Waste not your time, while time shall last; for after death ‘tis ever past.
The all-seeing God your Judge will be, and Heaven or Hell your destiny.
All earthly things will fleet away, Eternity will ever stay.
(found at: http://olrl.org/pray/7offerings.shtml)
Thank you, most adorable Jesus, for loving each of us so very much.
Posted by Robert DeMartino on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 9:56 AM (EDT):
“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world”
Posted by Ed on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 11:31 AM (EDT):
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:24-25)
Posted by Bob Rowland on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 6:19 PM (EDT):
HE IS RISEN
The Old Testament, precursor of New,
announced what God was intending to do.
Jesus came not to depose God’s chosen race.
He came to give it a redemptory place.
The Annunciation that Mary heard,
asked her to be the Mother of the Word.
The Incarnation made redemption the goal.
God’s Son came to play mankind’s saving role.
The Visitation justified the soul of John,
who was selected to baptize God’s Holy Son.
Our Lord’s birth, heralded by angels above,
proclaimed to the world the extent of God’s love.
For that, He was scourged and hung on a cross.
That was for our gain instead of a loss.
HE WAS CRUCIFIED – a heinous form of death.
Father forgive them preceded His last breath.
HE IS RISEN – With exaltation resounding,
belief in the Real Presence is abounding.
Because of Good Friday’s insurrection,
mercy is gained by the Resurrection.
Bob Rowland
Easter MMX
Posted by Mary Lark Corbett on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 10:18 PM (EDT):
It used to be that on Good Friday we would venerate the cross. Now, our missallettes say that we “worship” and “adore” the cross. We all know we are to worship and adore God alone, so why did they change it from venerating the cross, to “worship and adore”?....Just need to know….
Posted by Kim on Friday, Apr 6, 2012 11:31 PM (EDT):
Mary, I noticed the change in the missal text to “adoration of the cross.” Worship, though, I’ve always thought of as reserved for Christ alone. The two different missals we have didn’t say “worship the cross” anywhere, not saying of course that that phrase isn’t out there somewhere.
I don’t have a clear answer regarding the change in wording but I think it a useful exercise to consider how reverent we should act in relation to God, to things “of God,” and lastly to other unrelated stuff. I want to unwind that thought a little more but have to put some small ones to bed. Will try to return.. God Bless.
Posted by JMJ on Saturday, Apr 7, 2012 11:24 AM (EDT):
This is your best article,ever and give us more of the same. Have a very Holy Easter and let us all hold a Crucifix in our hand and meditate on the sufferings of Jesus as Our Blessed Lady as told us to do. +JMJ+
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Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register.Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.
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Prayer before a Crucifix
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
“They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.”
Amen.
April 6: Good Friday
“It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured” ~Isaiah 53:4
On the Crucifixion of Jesus before the crucifixion he was offered drugged wine as was the Jewish custom which he refused. [1]
Before the death of Jesus he was offered a drink on a sponge. Many translations give wine on a sponge but the Latin vulgate gives vinegar.[2]. Both are actually correct. So often when there seems to a discrepancy between scriptural texts they are alluding to a deeper truth hidden for our instruction.
The standard drink of the Roman army for three hundred years was an acidified diluted wine called posca that was flavoured with herbs. [3] St John’s gospel states hyssop was used.
The posca at the crucifixion would have been for the benefit of the Roman crucifixion squad of four not the criminals being crucified.
A sponge was a standard piece of Roman army kit for personal ablutions. The crucifixion site would be an unlikely place for a Roman latrine with running water. Sponges were also used as a lining for Roman helmets. [4]
Whether the sponge used to administer the acidified wine to Jesus as suggested above or a means of obtaining refreshment from a pitcher or jug that would have been used by the crucifixion squad itself is a matter for Roman historians.
That a reed was used to offer the sponge [2] does not contradict the offering of posca on a sponge that had hyssop clinging to it. The Vulgate says “about hyssop” and not on a branch of hyssop as many translate.[5]
What is relevant is that the paschal sacrifice of Christ, that redeems humanity in a way that is unique, perfect, and definitive opening up for us communion with God even was offered wine dripping from a sponge with hyssop in a manner of an Old Testament sacrifice. [6]
[1] Mk 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But he took it not.
[2] Mt 48 Et continuo currens unus ex eis, acceptam spongiam implevit aceto, et imposuit arundini, et dabat ei bibere.
48 And immediately one of them running took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink.
[3] Dalby, Andrew. “Posca”, Food in the Ancient World from A to Z, p. 270 ;
Roth, Jonathan. The Logistics of the Roman Army at War (264 B.C.-A.D. 235), pp. 37-38
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posca
[4] Galea Among the materials used for the lining of helmets were felt ...and sponge. http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-dgra/0573.html
[5] Jn 19: 29 Vas ergo erat positum aceto plenum. Illi autem spongiam plenam aceto, hyssopo
Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth.
[6] Heb 9: 19 For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people. 20 Saying: This is the blood of the testament which God has enjoined unto you. Cf Ex 12:22 Ex 24:8
REFLECTIONS
Life is short and death is sure; the hour of death remains obscure.
A soul you have, and only one; if that be lost all hope is gone.
Waste not your time, while time shall last; for after death ‘tis ever past.
The all-seeing God your Judge will be, and Heaven or Hell your destiny.
All earthly things will fleet away, Eternity will ever stay.
(found at: http://olrl.org/pray/7offerings.shtml)
Thank you, most adorable Jesus, for loving each of us so very much.
“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world”
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:24-25)
HE IS RISEN
The Old Testament, precursor of New,
announced what God was intending to do.
Jesus came not to depose God’s chosen race.
He came to give it a redemptory place.
The Annunciation that Mary heard,
asked her to be the Mother of the Word.
The Incarnation made redemption the goal.
God’s Son came to play mankind’s saving role.
The Visitation justified the soul of John,
who was selected to baptize God’s Holy Son.
Our Lord’s birth, heralded by angels above,
proclaimed to the world the extent of God’s love.
For that, He was scourged and hung on a cross.
That was for our gain instead of a loss.
HE WAS CRUCIFIED – a heinous form of death.
Father forgive them preceded His last breath.
HE IS RISEN – With exaltation resounding,
belief in the Real Presence is abounding.
Because of Good Friday’s insurrection,
mercy is gained by the Resurrection.
Bob Rowland
Easter MMX
It used to be that on Good Friday we would venerate the cross. Now, our missallettes say that we “worship” and “adore” the cross. We all know we are to worship and adore God alone, so why did they change it from venerating the cross, to “worship and adore”?....Just need to know….
Mary, I noticed the change in the missal text to “adoration of the cross.” Worship, though, I’ve always thought of as reserved for Christ alone. The two different missals we have didn’t say “worship the cross” anywhere, not saying of course that that phrase isn’t out there somewhere.
I don’t have a clear answer regarding the change in wording but I think it a useful exercise to consider how reverent we should act in relation to God, to things “of God,” and lastly to other unrelated stuff. I want to unwind that thought a little more but have to put some small ones to bed. Will try to return.. God Bless.
This is your best article,ever and give us more of the same. Have a very Holy Easter and let us all hold a Crucifix in our hand and meditate on the sufferings of Jesus as Our Blessed Lady as told us to do. +JMJ+
Post a Comment
By submitting this form, you give The National Catholic Register permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.