Sorrowful Mysteries

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden (repentance)

Jesus and His disciples went to a place named Gethsemani. “Sit down here while I pray,” He said to His disciples; He took along with Him Peter, James, and John.
He began to be troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My heart is sorrowful to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch.”
He advanced a little and fell to the ground, praying that if it were possible this hour might pass Him by.
He kept saying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from Me, but not what I will but what you will.
When He returned He found them asleep, He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? You could not keep watch for even one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing again He begun to pray in the same words. Then He returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open, nor did they know what to say to Him.
He returned a third time and said to them, “Still sleeping? Still taking your rest? It will have to do. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up and come along. See! My betrayer is at hand.”
Then while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs; who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. (Mk 14, 32-43)
Jesus said, “Am I a criminal that you come out after Me armed with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you temple area, and you did not seize Me. But this is your hour-the triumph of darkness!”
After arresting Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest, while Peter followed at a distance. (Lk 22, 52-54)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar (purity)

At daybreak, the council of elders of the people, the chief priests, and the scribes met again and brought Him before the council, they said, “If You are the Messiah, tell us?”
He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe Me, and if I question you, you will not respond. But, from this time on, the Son of Man will have His seat at the right hand of the Power of God.’” (Lk 22, 66-69)
As soon as morning the chef priests, with the elders and scribes that is, the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision.
They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You say so,” Jesus replied.
The chief priests accused Him of many things. Pilate questioned Him again: “Have You no answer? See how many accusations they have against You.” Jesus gave him no further answer, much to Pilate’s surprise. (Mk 15, 1-5)
Meanwhile, the chief priests incited the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead. Pilate again said to them, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” (Mk 15 11-12)
Barabbas had been in prison for causing a rebellion in the city, and for murder. Pilate addressed them again, still wanting Jesus to be the One released. But they continued their shouting, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!
He addressed them a third time, “What evil has this Man done? I found Him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have Him flogged and released.”
But with loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. (Lk 23, 19-23)
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them..
And after he had Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. (Mk 15, 15)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns (courage)

The soldiers lead Jesus away into the palace known as the praetorium; at that time they assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed Him in purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on Him.
They began to salute Him with, “Hail! King of the Jews!” and kept striking Jesus on the head with a reed and spitting upon Him. They genuflected before Him in homage. (Mk 15, 16-19)
Once more Pilate went out and said to the crowd: “I am bringing Him out to you to, so that you realize find no case against Him”
So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, “behold the Man!”
When the chief priests and the temple guards saw Him they cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Jn 19, 4-6)
Consequently, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews shouted “If you free this Man you are not a ‘friend of Caesar's.’ Everyone who makes himself a king opposed Caesar.”
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and seated on the judge’s bench at the place called the Stone Pavement. He said to the Jews. “Behold, your King!”
At this they shouted, “Away with him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” In the end, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. (Jn 19, 12-16)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross (patience)

When they had finished mocking Him, they stripped Jesus of the cloak, dressed Him in His own clothes, and led Him off to crucify Him.
As their were going out they met a Cyrenian named Simon. This man they pressed into service to carry His cross. (Mt 27, 31-32)
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including women who mourned and lamented Him.
Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23, 27-28)
Two others who were criminals were led along with Him to be crucified. (Lk 23, 32)
When they came to a place called Golgotha (a name which means Skull Place), they gave Jesus wine to drink flavored with gall, which He refused to drink.
After they had crucified Him, they divided His garments by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over Him.
Above His head they had put the charge against Him in writing: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.”
Two revolutionaries were crucified with Him, one at His right and one at His left.
Those passing by reviled Him, shaking their heads and saying: “You are the One Who was going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days! Save yourself, why don’t you” Come down off that cross if You are God’s Son”! The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders also joined in the jeering. (Mt 27, 33-41)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion (self-renunciation)

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23, 34)
One of the criminals said: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, this day you will be with Me in paradise.” (Lk 23, 42-43)
Seeing His Mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His Mother, “Woman, behold your son.” In turn He said to the disciple, “behold your Mother.” From that hour on, the disciple took her into his care. (Jn 19, 26-27)
At about 3 o'clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mt 27, 46)
Jesus realizing that everything was now finished, said to fulfill the Scripture, “I am thirsty.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. They stuck a sponge soaked in this wine on some hyssop and raised it to His lips.
When Jesus took the wine, He said, “Now it is finished.” (Jn 19, 28-30)
Darkness came over the whole land until midafternnoon with an eclipse of the sun. The veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Father into Your hands I commend My spirit.” After He said this, He expired. (Lk 23, 45-46)
When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. One of the soldiers thrust a lance into His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (Jn 19, 33-34)
They took Jesus’ body, and in accordance with Jewish burial custom bound it up in wrappings of cloth with perfumed oils.
In the place where He had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they buried Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand. (Jn 19, 40-42)

Based on the New American Bible