The Scourging at the Pillar
Fruit of the Mystery: Self-Denial
Pilate sends Jesus to be scourged (John 19:1). Scourging was an excruciating punishment. Whips with thorns or iron hooks were used that would dig into the skin and rip off pieces of flesh with every blow. Some would cut down to the bone. Imagine the torture that Jesus endured for us as each whip attacked him. Imagine that we are the ones holding the whips.
During the liturgical season of Lent and on Fridays throughout the year, the Church calls us to sacrifice in some way. While these particular days are set aside for intentional sacrifice through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, each day provides an opportunity for Christian sacrifice.
Sacrifice isn’t a popular topic these days, but it is necessary for the spiritual life. Self-denial can help us cultivate a spirit of conversion and repentance. Jesus called us to die to ourselves: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).
In going about our daily activities, there are many moments in which we can choose to put another person first rather than ourselves. We can do something for another person that we don’t have any real desire to do as a means of loving our neighbor (these neighbors include the members of our own families). We can give someone else something we would rather keep for ourselves. We can spend time praying for others that we would prefer to spend indulging in our favorite leisure activity. We can forego buying our favorite food and donate that money to the poor.
By its very definition, self-denial is not easy. But when we are struggling to sacrifice, we can recall Jesus being brutally whipped for our sins. We can offer our small sacrifices to God as a way of sharing in Christ’s suffering. “By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God.”[i]
In meditating on this mystery of The Scourging at the Pillar, let us pray for the willingness to practice self-denial.
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