THE
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

Life obviously has its sorrowful mysteries and its sorrowful moments. Everyone has to deal with them. We see these mysteries and moments of suffering in the life of Christ and in our life. We meditate on these moments when we pray the Rosary. Here are 5 we all go through:

1) Agonies in the Garden: those moments when we agonize over upcoming decisions. How and when do I tell the kids that we are being transferred? Doctors have to tell people about tests which indicate, “It looks like cancer.” A manager is called into the boss’ office and he is told he has to tell 12 workers they are being cut. A school principal has to make a decision about dismissing a kid – knowing it’s going to be a messy battle with the kid’s parents – but the kid has been warned about ongoing disciplinary problems for months.

2) The Beatings at the Pillar: those moments when we feel tied up and beaten down by life. We feel we are totally misunderstood and people are gossiping about us all over the neighborhood or in the work place. We don’t just have one health problem; we have four of them. The competition keeps beating us and we can’t seem to generate enough sales. Another store opens up across the street. Our kids keep comparing us to parents who are “much more understanding”. Our spouse doesn’t side with us in our attempts to discipline one of our kids.

3) The Crowning with Thorns: those moments when we have a splitting headache because we can’t manage our time or our money or our lives. It’s just not a good time right now – and we can’t escape the crush of life. The phone keeps ringing and we can’t seem to hide.

4) The Carrying of the Cross: those moments in life when a cross is placed on our shoulder. A parent or parents can’t take care of themselves any more. A child gets hooked on alcohol or drugs. We lose a job.

5) The Death on the Cross: those moments in life when we have to face our own death or the death of a loved one.