Station VI : Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

John 19: 1-3

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ²And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. ³They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face.

Some Background to the Scripture

Flogging was usually part of the punishment, not part of the trial.  Here, the evangelist has Jesus mocked and called a king. In these verses, Jesus is in fact invested as King – crowned, robed and acclaimed.  It is as a king he carries his cross to Calvary. The soldiers, ironically hail him as ‘the’ king (not just ‘a’ king).

Reflection

When we are at peace, we find the freedom to be most fully who we are, even in the worst of times. We let go of what is nonessential and embrace what is essential. We empty ourselves so that God may more fully work within us. And we become instruments in the hands of the Lord.

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, The Gift of Peace

Reflection Question

Have I ever experienced peace in the worst of times?  What happened?  Did it change me?

Prayer

Give me the courage, Lord, to make a difference

Response

Domestic violence is a present scourge in Australian communities and many people are unsure how to help people in these worst of times.  The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria website has lots of information about how to support those who find themselves victims.