Gospel in Art: The Stations of the Cross - Station 2: Jesus takes up his cross

Painting by Titian 1565 © Prado Museum, Madrid

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 3 April 2022 - Matthew 27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head.

They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him.

Then they led him away to crucify him.

Reflection on the Painting

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

There you are, my Jesus: you have taken up your cross. I see you really up close… the rope around your neck, the crown of thorns pushed deep into your skin, the drops of blood on your face… what a sight. Our eyes meet. You are looking straight at me; we are both shedding tears. I feel like telling you 'It will soon be over', but that would be no consolation for you, as you have to endure so much more torture and cruelty in the coming hours.

So all I can do is to thank you. I know you are doing all this for me. In quiet humility and out of love for me, you took up your cross. Your eyes tell me that I too should take up my cross and not merely gaze at it whilst feeling sorry for myself.

Our Father, who art in heaven…

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son…

Normal Gospel reading for the day: John 8:1-11

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1132
Christian Art - www.christian.art