My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the “prayer of the rosary” as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours in the Western Church (§ 2678). In praying the rosary we “meditate on the mysteries of Christ” engaging our “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” leading not only to “knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus” but “union with Him” (§ 2708). In fact the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an “epitome of the whole Gospel” and is also an expression of “devotion to the Virgin Mary” (§ 971). Here we consider the first Sorrowful Mystery, the Scourging at the Pillar.
In the writings of Saint Bridget of Sweden (+1373; Revelations) and Saint Alphonsus de Liguori (+1787; The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ), Saint Josemaria Escriva (+1975 Holy Rosary), among others, Sacred Tradition includes reference to the pillar in relation to the scourging of the Lord.
In Sacred Scripture we read about the scourging of the Lord Jesus at the pillar in Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 18:33 (as a prophecy); John 19:1. The Greek word phragelloo is presumed to be the equivalent of the Latin flagellum, which translates “to whip”and is sometimes rendered as scourging or flogging. There is no mention of a pillar in relation to the scourging which the Lord Jesus suffered in Sacred Scripture. The Jewish form of scourging was limited to forty lashes lest there be shame (Deuteronomy 25:3) but pagan Roman scourging knew no such restraint. The flagellum consisted of a handle to which several cords or leather thongs were affixed which were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal to make the blow more painful and effective. Many victims of scourging usually fainted. It was not rare for those who suffered scourging to die as a consequence. Psalm 129:3 has been applied to Jesus’ scourging: “The powers plowed upon My back: they made long their furrows.”
The fruit of the mystery of the Lord Jesus being scourged at the pillar is purity. “By His stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24). There are some six various sorts or purity to consider when meditating on the scourging of the Lord at the pillar. Moral purity in general, keeping free from sin; sexual purity in particular; purity in our thoughts; in our words; in our deeds; even doctrinal purity, keeping error at bay. Lustful thoughts tend to lead to lustful deeds. Potty mouth or vulgar speech is less than edifying and shows a lack of vocabulary. Pure doctrine respects God’s pure revelation. The sacred flesh of our Lord was neither coddled nor caressed in His being scourged at the pillar. The Lord Jesus was beaten severely for my redemption and yours, for my sins and yours and those of all people of all times and places. May our faithfulness and purity, by His grace at work in us, be a consolation to Him who suffered so much for us.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr