FRIDAYS

Contemplation of the Passion

Praised be Jesus Christ! We’ve mentioned the living of Sundays as the Lord’s Day and also Thursdays as a day of thanksgiving for the unfathomable gift of the Blessed Sacrament, and of course, most Catholics observe Fridays with fasting, or abstinence, or in some way contemplating the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are abundant practices for this. The Church recommends the praying of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary on Fridays. Many, too, may make the Way of the Cross. In His Merciful Love, the Lord has given us a whole palette of devotions which draw us into His Passion including the Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget. We might also simply take in hand the Gospels of the Passion.

Whatever we choose to do, the Merciful Jesus speaks to us through St. Faustina encouraging words that invite us to contemplate His Passion. Of all the mysteries of Christ’s life, perhaps the Passion is the most thoroughly described in the Gospels and the most vivid which makes them easy for our heart to contemplate.

Here are a few of the words of Jesus as recorded in the Diary of St. Faustina:

Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds. (Diary, 379)

You please Me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. (Diary, 1512)

The contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings Me great joy. (Diary, 369)

Today Jesus said to me, I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. (Diary, 186)

There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood. (Diary, 369)

There are few souls who contemplate My Passion with true feeling; I give great graces to souls who meditate devoutly on My Passion. (Diary, 737)

And so, especially on Fridays, let us take up the means we have at hand, even if it is just a crucifix, and gaze upon this Jesus replete with wounds in order to be of great merit to us and great joy to Him.