Gospel in Art: The Stations of the Cross - 10: Jesus is stripped of his garments

Head of the Dead Christ Albert Durer ©British Museum, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 April 2022

John 19: 23-24

The soldiers took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.' This was to fulfil what the scripture says, 'They divided my clothes among them- selves, and for my clothing they cast lots.'

Reflection on the drawing

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

How roughly they handle you! They beat you, they strip you, they humiliate you… You are not wearing anything now… apart from the crown of thorns, ferociously pierced into your head. I can't tell the difference anymore between the spiky thorns and your own hair.

I am focussing on your face. You head is tilted back in anguish and pain as they tear off your garments. Some cloth adheres to your torn flesh and, as the soldiers rip it off, your skin rips open again. What torture, what pain.

You truly emptied yourself. Please my Jesus, give me the grace to be stripped bare of all that separates me from you.

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 12:1-11:

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot - one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him - said, 'Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?' He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.'

Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art

Today's picture: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-19-23-24-2022/