The Rosary Mysteries for Lent: The Crowning With Thorns

Today was one of those really great days.  As always, after I get everyone off to school, I started the day with prayer, reading from my Magnificat magazine.  I spent the morning writing two entries for my new book, Tending the Temple.  While writing, I learned about two fascinating new saints, St. Teresa of the Andes and St. Lidwina (who has been canonized since the article at that link was written).  I got my grocery shopping done in under half an hour, and my cute new rose-colored flats (30% off!) didn't hurt my feet and perfectly matched a spring sweater I already own. 

I also enjoyed a Rosary Workout bike ride.  I mapped out a new route and was rewarded with a few challenging hills and beautiful scenery.  As I pedaled down a road I had not traveled before, I was surprised to see a camel, of all things, grazing next to a donkey.  My first thought was that I was praying the wrong Rosary mystery for this scene!  As I turned the corner, I was brought back to the Sorrowful Mysteries as a rooster crowed loudly. 

According to the gospels, Peter denies Jesus three times and hears the foretold cock crow shortly before Jesus is mocked by the Roman soldiers.  They place an old purple cloak on His shoulders and fashion a crown out of thorns from a nearby bush.  I'm sure they were not gentle when they placed it on His head. 

I often wonder if the centurion who declared that Jesus was the Son of God at the foot of the cross participated in this mock coronation.  Did he watch Jesus silently suffer this humiliation with unimaginable dignity?  Did he see how Jesus' eyes still looked upon the soldiers with love?  Did he realize that he was in the presence of the Incarnation? 

There is a lesson for us here.  When we are humiliated, scorned and mocked, how do we act?  Do we lash back in anger or do we endure the humiliation with quiet dignity?  Do we love our enemies and pray for them?  Do we let others see the presence of Christ within us?  Our words and actions, while following the example of Jesus, can change hearts and minds.  Think of those who watch you as possible centurions who might experience a sudden conversion at the foot of the cross.